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Bill 40Testimony
MISC COM 541
P7b Council
Testimony ofacific Resource artrership
City CouncilCity amp County of Honolulu
Councflmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoatildeina Vice Chair
Bill 40 (2021)mdashRelating to the transient accommodations taxWednesday October 6 2021
Aloha Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiarsquoatildeina and Members ofhe Council
Pacific Resource Partrersbip (PRP) writes ir strong support of Bill 40 (2021) which establishes a ansentaccommocaiors tax (TAT) for the City and County of Honolulu We esoectfully reqes tna the Lrdquoalversion of this bill nave a xed percersquoage of ne TAT dedicated to fund the Honolulu Ral Transit Project(Rail) for the completion of 20 miles with 21 stations from West Kapolei to Ala Moana
A dedicated percentage of the TAT to Rail will help the City complete this important infrastructureproject which will provide many benefits to the residents of Oahu including but not limited to
bull Support the development of equitable transit-oriented communities where housingcommercialretail and community services will be facilitated by a robust multimodal transportationretwork comprised of public and private modes
bull Ersquocouage t-e develoorner of bosng around rail saos inducing mucr--eedec afrsquoordab ehousing
bull Generate more rea propety tax revenue for the cty lsquoom the constructon o accional homesbusinesses and other facilkies built around rail stations
bull Provide more job opportunities for our local workforce who will build rail and its surroundingcommunities in TOD areas and who will work at businesses in these new communities
bull Reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and other local air pollution by allowing drivers of vehiclesto use Rail as an alternative mode of transportation
bull Incentivize increased density in TOD areas thereby releasing growth pressures from other areaswhich are important to maintain open space and other rural community characteristics
cdeIaunayprp-hawaiicom
THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIP WWW PRP HAWAII COMJ
I IO ALAKEA STREET 4TH rLooR ID TWIITER WWW ACER0OKCOWHoNoLursquou HI 96813 6PRPHAWAII AcIFIcREsouRcEpARTNERsRlp
PHONE 4 8085285557
(Continued From Page 1)
Given the above we request your favorable decision on this bill
Thank you for this opportunity to testify
S
PRPTHE POWER O PARTNERSH[P
From CLK Council InfoSent Monday October 4 2021 450 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Joy KimuraPhone
Email jkimurahawaNIecetorgMeeting Date 10-06-2021CouncilPH Committee CouncilAgenda Item Bill 40 (2021)Your position on the matter SupportRepresenting OrganizationOrganization Hawaii LECETWritten Testimony
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and Agreement 1
IP 19216820067
1
HAWAII LABORERS-EMPLOYERS COOPERATION AND EDUCATION TRUST 650 Iwilei Road Suite 285 Honolulu HI 96817 Phone 808-845-3238 Fax 808-845-8300
October 4 2021
HONOLULU CITY COUNCIL City Council Chamber
Honolulu Hawaii 96813 DATE Wednesday October 6 2021
TIME 1000 am
TESTIMONY ON BILL 40 (2021) - RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMODATIONS TAX To Committee Chair Waters Vice Chair Kia`aina and members of the Honolulu City Council Hawaii LECET is a labor-management partnership between the Hawaii Laborersrsquo International Union of North America Local 368 itsrsquo 5000+ members and itsrsquo 250+ unionized contractors The Laborersrsquo International Union of North America is the largest construction union in the United States Mahalo for the opportunity to testify in support of Bill 40 (2021) which seeks to establish a County Transient Accommodations Tax to support restoration of funding which was diverted by the Hawaii State Legislature Bill 40 would also ensure that visitors share in the costs for services provided by the City and County of Honolulu as well as fund efforts to mitigate the impacts on natural resources due to tourism For these reasons Hawaii LECET supports Bill 40 (2021) and asks for your consideration and support With respect Hawaii Laborers-Employers Cooperation amp Education Trust
TO Members of the Honolulu City Council
FROM Natalie Iwasa CPA CFE808-395-3233
DATE Wednesday October 6 2021
SUBJECT Bill 40 Transient Accommodations Tax - OPPOSED
Aloha Chair Waters and Councilmembers
Thank you for allowing testimonyrsquo on Bill 40 which would implement atransient accommodations tax (TAT) at the county level and assign certaincurrently unspecified amounts to the general fund the transit fund (for railconstruction) and a new special fund I oppose this bill for several reasonsand am testifying in my individual capacity
TAT Related to the Transit Fund
No additional funding should go to rail for the following reasons
bull The financial plan has not yet been updated and the recovery planlsquohch will include an updated financia Han isnrsquot due tinti] enrv nextyear
bull There has been no public discussion of the 25+ alternative ideas thatwere discussed by HART staff earlier this year
bull The current shortfall for rail construction has been estimated at gt S3billion If the city provided 5100 millionyear from the TAT for railconstruction it would take 30 years to pay off the current shortfallexcluding additional financing costs
bull HART still has no internal audit function and the Internal AuditCommittee of the HART board that was recently added to the approvedboard rules is on hold
bull There is no tip hotline or fraud policy
It would be irresponsible for crnmcilmembers to approve any additionalfunding for rail construction until these matters are taken care of
Natalie IwasaBill 40 TATPage 2
Special Fund
According to Chapter 6 of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu we alreadyhave 50 special or revolving funds Please clean up what is already there beforeadding any new funds
Administration
Sec 8A-19 Rent collection by third party includes a requirement that a copy ofthe first page of the rental agreement or IRS Form 1099 and certain otherdocuments must be filed with the city Renta agreements may include privatepersonal information about tenants I therefore oppose the requirement toprovide this information to the city
In addition the Form 1099 may include a landlordrsquos social security number Ioppose the requirement to provide this to the city These requirements go toofar in an attempt to enforce a county TAT
Sec 8A-1 13(a) (1) Application of tax indicates that any rental for less than 180consecutive days is presumed to be for a transient purpose This presumptiondoes not take into consideration the fact that locals may need to rent for lesstHu 180 days for various reasons I therefore oppose this sectinn
MARRIOTTVACATIONS
WORLDWIDESM
October 5 2021
TO Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairMembers of the Honolulu City Council
FR Denis Ebrill Marriott Vacations Worldwide CorporationRE Comments on Bill 40 Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
Aloha Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiarsquoaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Thank you for allowing me to submit testimony on behalf of Marriott Vacations WorldwideCorporation (ldquoMVWCrdquo) providing Comments and Amendments to Bill 40 establishing atransient accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu MVVC is a global leader inthe timeshare industry with ten resort properties in Hawaii Timeshare resorts are an important andstabilizing part of the tourism industry and resort development provides thousands of constructionjobs in Hawaii per year
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (ldquoCountyTATrdquo) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gross rental proceeds derivedfrom the furnishing of transient accommodations Every transient accommodation broker travelagency and tour packager that arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shallpay the County TAT Further every time share vacation plan must be represented by a planmanager Pursuant to Section 7 the new Count TAT is considered Levied on the effective date ofBill 40
MVWC understands the Countyrsquos intentions in establishing the County TAT however wehave concerns with the implementation of the additional 3 percent increase Implementing theCounty 1rsquoAT upon approval puts hotel operators at a disadvantage Essentially this would meanthat the Count TAT would be retroactively applicable to reservations made on the effective dateeven though the bill has not been signed by the Mayor Furthermore hotel operators will notbe able to 1) disclose the new tax to guests in advance and 2) adjust booking systems and rentalagreements to collect the new tax from guests after the County TAT has been officially establishedAdditionally timeshare resorts will need to update their Hawaii disclosure statements and file withthe Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (ldquoDCCArdquo)
Accordingly MVWC respectfully requests the County TAT not be levied until at aminimum not earlier than 30 days after Bill 40rsquos approval to allow 1) appropriate notice to begiven to travel partners that the law has been signed 2) booking systems to be updated with thenew County TAT and 3) rental agreements to be modified with the new requiredlanguage Furthermore an additional 30 days provides resorts an adequate amount of time toprovide proper notice to guests update disclosure statements with DCCA and coordinate withthird party booking platforms to accommodate new tax
9002 San Marco Court Orlando Florida 32819 T 407-206-6000 F 407-206-6420 cornProud supporter of Childrenrsquos Miracle Network Hospitals
Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairOctober 52021Page 2
Moreover an additional 30 days after signing would be consistent with the timeframe ofprevious increases in TAT at the state level and recent implementation in other counties Typicallywhen the TAT was increased at the state level in the past the legislation would allow for severalmonths to enable the hotel industry to adjust internal booking systems to properly disclose andcharge for the increased rate Further Maui County recently passed their own county TAT with alevied date of November 12021 which will be approximately 30 days after it is signed into lawMaui County found the additional time to be a fair comprise to allow the hotel industry to accountfor the County TAT
Based upon the foregoing MVWC recommends the following amendments to Bill 40
1 Amend Section 7 to state ldquoThis ordinance takes effect upon its approval The transientaccommodations tax established by this ordinance is considered levied 30 days afterapprovalrdquo
Mahalo for your consideration of these amendments
Aloha
Dcnis EbrillSenior Vice PresidentMarriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation
Evan Cueqvimanaka-asatocpm
AQU AbullbullA S TO NH OS P I TA LIT V
October 52021
TO Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice ChairMembers of the Honolulu City Council
FR Aqua-Aston Hospitality
RE Comments on Bill 40 Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
Aloha Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiarsquoaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Thank you for allowing Aqua-Aston Hospitality LLC (ldquoAqua-Astonrdquo) to provideComments and Amendments to Bill 40 establishing a transient accommodations tax for the Cityand County of Honolulu Aqua-Aston has engaged in hotel and resort management in the state ofHawaii for over 75 years
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (ldquoCountyTATrdquo) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gloss rental proceeds derivedfrom the iltraishing of transient accommodations Ever transient accommodation broker travelagency and tour packager tat arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shallpay the County TAT Pursuant to Section 7 the new County TAT is considered levied on theeffective date of Bill 40
AquamdashAston understands the Countyrsquos intentions in establishing the County TAT inresponse to Act I Special Session Laws of Hawairsquo i which stripped the County of allocated StateTransient Accommodations Tax Nevertheless we have concerns with the implementation ofthe additional 3 percent increase Having the County TAT levied upon approval puts hoteloperators at a disadvantage Hotel operators 1) will not be able to disclose the County TAT toguests who have already booked in advance of or on the effective date nor 2) sufficient time toadjust booking systems and rental agreements to enable them to collect the County TAT on theeffective date Similarly the County TAT would be retroactively applicable to reservations madeon the effective date even though the bill has not yet been signed by the Mayor
Aqua-Aston respectfully requests the County TAT be levied until at a minimum notearlier than 30 days after Bill 40rsquos approval to allow I) appropriate notice to be given to travelpartners 2) booking engines to be updated with the new County TAT and 3) rentalagreements to be modified with the new required language Furthermore an additional 30 daysprovides resorts an adequate amount of time to provide proper notice to guests and coordinate withthird party booking platforms to accommodate the Count)rsquo TAT
Office 820 MilHani St Ste 600 Honolulu HI 96813 T 803-931-1400MaiHrig Address 6649 Westwood Blvd Orlando FL 32821
Moreover an additional 30 days after signing would be consistent with the timeframe ofprevious increases in TAT at the state level and recent implementation in other counties Typicallywhen the TAT was increased at the state level in the past the legislation would allow for severalmonths to enable the hotel industry to adjust internal booking systems to properly disclose andcharge for the increased rate Further Maui County recently passed their own county TAT with alevied date of November 1 202L which will be approximately 30 days after it is signed into lawMaui County found the additional time to be a fair compromise to allow the hotel industry toaccount for the County TAT
Accordingly Aqua-Aston recommends the following amendment to Bill 40
1 Amend Section 7 to state ldquoThis ordinance takes effect upon its approval The transientaccommodations tax established by this ordinance is considered levied 30 days afterapprovalrdquo
Mahalo for your consideration of these amendments
Respectfully submitted
Denis EbrillAqua Aston Hospitality LLC Managing Director
Evan Dueeouecjmanaka-asatocorn
Office 820 Mililani St Ste 600 Honolulu HI 96813 1808-931-1400Mailing Address 6649 Westwood Blvd Orlando FL 32821
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 1047 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Evan CuePhone
Email eoueimanaka-asatocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40Your position on the
Commentmatter
Representing Organization
Organization ARDA Hawaii
Please find attached ARDA Hawaiirsquos Testimony providingWritten Testimonycomments on Bill 40
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and1Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
1
October 5 2021
TO Councilmember Tommy Waters Chair
Councilmember Esther Kiaaina Vice- Chair
Members of the Honolulu City Council
FR AMERICAN RESORT DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION ndash HAWAII (ARDA Hawaii)
RE Comments on Bill 40 (Bill 40) RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT
ACCOMMODATIONS TAX (ESTABLISHING A TRANSIENT
ACCOMMODATIONS TAX FOR THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU
PROVIDE FOR ITS IMPOSITION AND DISPOSITION AND FACILITATE THE
RECEIPT AND DEPOSIT OF THE REVENUES DERIVED FROM THE TRANSIENT
ACCOMMODATIONS TAX)
Aloha Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Thank you for allowing ARDA Hawaii to submit testimony providing Comments and
Amendments to Bill 40 establishing a transient accommodations tax for the City and County of
Honolulu ARDA Hawaii is the local chapter of the trade association for the timeshare industry
Timeshare is an important and stabilizing part of the tourism industry and Honolulus economy
Timeshare owners have made a long-term commitment to Honolulu by purchasing and owning
real property in the County These owners are consistent and dependable visitors who bring
substantial tax dollars and continue to come even during periods of economic downturn
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (County
TAT) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gross rental proceeds derived
from the furnishing of transient accommodations Every transient accommodation broker travel
agency and tour packager that arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shall
pay the County TAT Further every time share vacation plan must be represented by a plan
manager Pursuant to Section 7 the new County TAT is considered levied on the effective date of
Bill 40
ARDA Hawaii understands the need for the County to establish the County TAT
however we have concerns with the timing of the application of the additional 3 percent
increase Having the County TAT levied upon approval puts hotel operators at a disadvantage
Essentially this would mean that the County TAT would be retroactively applicable to
2
reservations made on the effective date even though the bill has not been signed by the Mayor
Furthermore hotel operators will not be able to 1) disclose the new tax to guests in advance and
2) adjust booking systems and rental agreements to collect the new tax from guests after the
County TAT has been officially established In turn operators will need to pay for the County
TAT themselves for reservations on the effective date
Moreover timeshare resorts will need to update their Hawaii disclosure statements and
file with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) This is often a time-
consuming process requiring approval from the DCCA Having Bill 40 be levied upon approval
will lead to inadequate disclosure to customers Imposing the County TAT in this manner will
make it impossible for developers and operators to provide full and fair disclosure to buyers
owners and other occupants
Accordingly ARDA Hawaii respectfully requests the County TAT be levied at a
minimum not earlier than 30 days after Bill 40s approval to allow 1) appropriate notice to be
given to travel partners that the law has been signed 2) hotel operators to charge for the
County TAT that is officially passed 3) booking engines to be updated with the new County
TAT and 4) rental agreements to be modified with the new required language Further the any
additional time will provide developers and timeshare operators time to update disclosure
statements with DCCA and provide consumers with full and fair disclosure
Specifically ARDA Hawaii recommends the following amendment to Bill 40
1 Amend Section 7 to state This ordinance takes effect upon its approval The transient
accommodations tax established by this ordinance is considered levied 30 days after
approval
Mahalo for your consideration of our comments We look forward to working with the
Council on implementing a policy that will enhance the ability of developers and operators to
comply with the new existing laws and requirements that compel fair and full disclosure of the
County TAT to consumers
Respectfully Submitted
Mitchell A Imanaka
Chair
American Resort Development Association of Hawaii
HAWAII OPERATING ENGINEERSINDusTRY STABILIZATION FuND
(ccedilg) 1
lsquoheftzc cqr ltnagth ant orkrn ngctaer(a a Ut
October 5 2021
Honorable Tommy Waters Honolulu City Council ChairHonorable Esther Kiarsquoaacuteina Honolulu City Council Vice ChairHonorable Members of the Honolulu City Council
RE Bill 40(2021) Relating to the transient accommodations tax (Establishing a transient
accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and
facilitate the receipt and deposit of the revenues derived from the transient accommodations tax)
Chair Waters
My name is Pane Meatoga Ill and I am the Community Liaison representing the Hawaii OperatingEngineers Industry Stabilization Fund (HOEISF) We are a labor management fund representing 3000unionized members in heavy engineering site work and 500 general contractors specializing in heavy siteand vertical construction Our organization would like to offer our written testimony in support of Bill40(2021)
Construction of the rait guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utility relocationalso continues Currently construction work has either been bid out or is ready to start the bidingprocess and design work is ongoing for the most difficult section of Dillingham Boulevard We aregetting closer to the finish line and members of Operating Engineers Local 3 and other trade unions arehard at work making this project a reality
We believe a dedicated local revenue source that is not from real property taxes will allow for thecompleUon of a rail system that lsquoArsquoill transform Oahu for the benefit of future generations A fixedpercentage of the Cityrsquos Transient Accommodation Tax (TAT) dedicated to rail is exactly what the countyneeds now to continue this project We recommend that the Honolulu City Council consider allocatinga percentage of the Countyrsquos TAT to the Honolulu Rail Project
We appreciate the Honolulu City Council taking up this bill We look forward to Bill 40 progressingthrough the legislative process and we look forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
Sincerely
Pane Meatoga IllHawaii Operating Engineers Industry Stabilization Fund
pnceuroh pciLccrn
DUHO1IFONjasorsca4 ampuatildeder
HAWAII
October 52021
Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairMembers of the Honolulu City Council
RE Comments on Bill 40 (ldquoBill 40rdquo) Rclating to the Transient Accommodations TaxHearing date Wednesday October 6 2021 at 1000 AM
Aloha Chair Waters Vicc Chair Kiarsquoaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Mahalo for the opportunity to submit testimony on behalf of DR Horton Hawaii LLC(ldquoDR Hortonrdquo) in Support of Bill 40 relating to the transient accommodations tax DR Hortonis one of Hawaiirsquos largest home builders and has been providing affordable housing and first-timebuyer homes for Hawaiirsquos families throughout Oahu for nearly fifty years
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (ldquoCountyTATrdquo) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gross rental proceeds derivedfrom the furnishing of transient accommodations Every transient accommodation broker travelagency and tour packagDr that arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shallpay the County TAT Additionally Bill 40 allocates percentages of the tax revenue generated bythe County TAT into I) the general fund 2) the transit fund established under Chapter 6 Article61 and 3) a special account in the general fund specifically used to mitigate the impacts of visitorson public facilities including the restoration and maintenance of beaches and parks
Prinarily DR Horton supports an allocation of the County TAT to be dedicated tofunding the rail project We favor a fixed allocation of funding that will enable the city to finishand maintain the project in a fiscally responsible way allowing the rail project to be completedwithout raising property taxes or endangering the Countyrsquos bond rating Furthermore funding therail project will restore confidence with the FTA and potentially unlock much needed federalfunding
Additionally the completion of the rail project will directly influence the creation of asignificant inventory of much needed affordable housing Completing the rail project willincentivize transit oriented development around the downtown and Ala Moana rail stationsprojected to create an additional 11600 housing units Failing to complete the rail project will putus that much further behind the curve in reaching our collective affordable housing goals
Dahu Maui Hawaii Island Kauai
130 Merchant Street Suite 112 Honolulu Hawaii 96813 8085215661
wwwdrhortoncomhawaii
Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairOctober 52021Page 2
Finally completion of the rail has the added benefit of decreasing our dependance onimported oil and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging multi-modal forms oftransportation that are both walkable and bikeable consistent with the Cityrsquos long term planninggoals Further the completion of the rail project will create a much needed connection betweenmaster planned communities in Ewa and downtown Honolulu enhancing the quality life forfamilies living in West Oahu
In summary DR Horton supports Bill 40 and the proposed allocations Mahalo for yourtime and consideration It is very much appreciated Should you have any questions please donot hesitate to contact me at 808-782-4109 or ttonakicdrhortoneom
Sincerely
9KTracy TonakiSenior Vice President
Evan Quoeoueirnanaka-asatoeom
1065 Ahua StreetHonolulu H 96819Phone 808-833-1681 FAX 839-4167Email jfbullfccedileaIigcaQia (iINERAI (lsquo()NrIAuIORS ASSOCIATION OF I IAWAIIWebsite wwwgcahawoiiore
Quality People Quality Projects
October 162021
Councilman Tommy Waters ChairMembers of the City CouncilCity amp County of the Honolulu CityHonolulu HI 96813
Re Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the City Council
The General Contractors Association of Hawaii (GCA) is an organization comprised ofapproximately five hundred (500) general contractors subcontractors and construction relatedfirms The GCA was established in 1932 and is the largest construction association in the Stateof Hawaii Our mission is to elevate Hawaiirsquos construction industry and strengthen thefoundation of our community
GCA is in STRONG SUPPORT of Bill 40 which establishes a transient accommodations taxfor the City and County of Honolulu
Of this amount we respectfully request that a portion be set aside for the completion of theI lonolulu rail project This new revenue source a tourist tax comes from our visitors rather thanour residents both of whom will use and ridc a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utilityrelocation also continues A dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of asystem that will transform Oahu Westsidc families will have the option to ride the rail to workand school rather than spending an hour-4- in traffic
Further transit-oriented developments include affordable units along the route This will helpaddress our housing shortage asll600 housing units along the downtown and Ala Moana railstations will be completed as a result of the TOD planning This creates multi-modals form oftransportation that allow for walkable bikeable communities and safe streets for families
Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony in support of Bill 40
Ryan Sakuda
ryan(gcahawaiiorg
-4rsquo
a4714rdquo t014 5n
Testimony by Harry SaundersPresident Castle amp Cooke Hawairsquoi
October 5 2021
City and County of Honolulu City CouncilRegarding
BILL 40 (2021)RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS TAX
SUPPORT WITH COMMENTS
Chair amp Presiding Officer Tommy Waters Vice Chair Esther Kiarsquoaumlina and Members of the City Council
I am Harry Saunders Presidcnt of Castle amp Cookc Hawairsquoi Thank you for the opportunity to submittcstimony regarding Bill 40 (2021)
Castic amp Cooke Hawairsquoi supports the intent of Bill 40 that will dedicate a portion of the transientaccommodations tax into a transportation fund It is critical that this bill have a fixed percentage of thetransient accommodations tax dedicated towards the funding of the rail so the city can finish the projectin a fiscally responsible way without raising property taxes and endangering our cityrsquos bond rating
Allocating a fixed percentage of the transient accommodations tax to fund the rail transit project will havelong temi benefits to visitors and kamarsquoaina alike
Rail will provide multi-modal opportunities giving residents transportation options It will help reducethe dependence on vehicles and its requisite imported oils with overall benefits to the health of ourenvironment Rail will reduce commute times for residents living in outlying communities The timethey gain back will enhance their quality of life
It also provides housing and redevelopment opportunities to communities With this redevelopmentcomes affordable housing Affordable housing planned in Transit Oriented Development for thedowntown and Ala Moana rail stations is a combined 11600 housing units
Allocating a fixed percentage of the TAT funding to Rail will pay for the ongoing operations andmaintenance of the system after construction has been completed again without the need to raiseproperty taxes
Mahalo for your consideration of my testimony Should you have any questions please feel free tocontact us
Harry Saunders Garret MatsunamiPresident Vice President Residential OperationsCastle amp Cooke Hawairsquoi Castle amp Cooke Hawairsquoifsakai(i2eastlecookeeom gmatsunamicastlecookecomPhone 548-4884 Phone 626-3625llcQmacastIecookecom
680 Iwilei Road Box 510 Honolulu Hawaii 96817Phone (808) 548-4811 Fax (808) 548-6690
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 110 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mufi HannemannPhoneEmail mhannemanncopyhawaBlodgingorgMeeting Date 10-06-2021CouncilPH
CouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40Your position
Commenton the matter
Representing Organization
Organization Hawairsquoi Lodging amp Tourism AssociationTestimony ofMufi HannemannPresident amp CEOHawaii Lodging amp Tourism Association
Honolulu City CouncilBill 40 (2021)October 6 2021
Chair Waters and members of the Honolulu City Council mahalo forthe opportunity to submit testimony on behalf of the Hawaii Lodging ampTourism Association the statersquos largest private sector visitor industryorganization
WrittenTestimony The Hawaii Lodging amp Tourism Associationmdashnearly 700 members
strong representing more than 50000 hotel rooms and nearly 40000lodging workersmdashstrongly opposed the passage of House Bill 862which among myriad other issues stripped the State TransientAccommodations Tax (TAT) allocation to the counties and allowed forup to an additional three percent surcharge to be levied on lodgingproperties The surcharge proposed by this measure represents a 29increase to the TAT that comes at a highly inopportune time for anindustry that has been drastically affected by the pandemic and travelrestrictions However with the veto override by the Legislature andthe ultimate passage of HB 862 we recognize the financial position inwhich the City amp County of Honolulu finds itself and the need todeliberate on the introduced bill As the latest version of Bill 40 (2020)does not stipulate the percentages by which the collected tax monies
will be divided between the general fund transit fund and theunnamed visitor impact fund we would like to provide comments onthe proposed measure at this time
As the vast majority of monies raised by the TATmdashand the new threepercent surchargemdashwill undoubtedly come from the pockets of visitorsit is our position that the lionrsquos share of these funds should be utilizedto address tourism related needs and the impacts created by travelersto Hawaii The opportunities in this regard are seemingly endless andcould include more routine county tasks such as road refinishing andupdates to our infrastructure but should also be used on projects moredirectly associated with tourism impacts like trail management beachand park maintenance additional support for first responders and theprovision of adequate public safety staffing at beaches and other Cityinstallations
We are all aware of the discussions currently happening in thecommunity that focus upon tourism its impact on our naturalresources and communities and the significant role it plays in oureconomy Anti-tourism sentiments are at an all-time high and both thetourism industry and the community are working to strike a finebalance that suits both residents and visitors to our home Relegatinga significant portion of funds generated by the surcharge to the tourismimpact fund would ensure that the City is appropriately addressing thevarious issues surrounding tourism with visitor dollars and would maketransparency in the process that much more likely The HawaiiTourism Authorityrsquos Destination Management Action Plan processmdashwhich aims to better manage tourism for our entire statemdashhas beencompleted for Oahu and this would be an ideal jumping off point tobegin discussion of how surcharge funds are utilized for some of theirpriorities Finally we would also like to better understand who willoversee the special tourism impact fund and ensure that said funds willbe used for their intended purposes through a transparent process
We look forward to a robust public discourse on this measure andthank you for the opportunity to provide these comments
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
Mobi[e 8084288717
c EmaH indascFarzschtzcoIlabortvecoin- lsquo- 5chatzcohaboratvecomcollaborative
October 5 2021
Via email to Honolulu City Council
SUBJECT Bill 40(2021) mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations TaxCouncil Meeting October 6 2021 1000am
Dear Council Members
I am submitting written testimony to offer comments to Bill 40
This bill must have a fixed percentage of the TAT dedicated to funding the rail to avoidraising property taxes or jeopardizing our bond rating
Irsquove been a housing advocate and developer for the last 20 years and have supported effortsto create multi-modal neighborhoods in the primary urban core If a fixed percentage of atleast half of the TAT to the county goes to rail construction operations and rail focusedactivities such as TOD it will help create ripe conditions for housing redevelopment andwalkable communities Rail is also a catalyst to begin the efforts to bring back sociallyequitable planning efforts to disadvantaged neighborhoods on Dahu Without a dedicatedsource of funding we lose so much more in terms of equitable opportunities for Oahursquoscommunity and future generations
Thank you again for the opportunity to submit this testimony If there are any questions or ifadditional information is needed please do not hesitate to contact me at (808)428-8717
Warmest Regards
Linda Schatz
Principal
HAWAII REGIONAL COUNCIL OF
CARPENTERS
October 6 2021
City Council
City amp County of Honolulu
Councilmember Tommy Waters Chair
Councilmember Esther Kiarsquoatildeina Vice Chair
Statement of the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters mdash SUPPORT for Bill 40 (2021)mdashRelating to thetransient accommodations tax
Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiarsquoatildeina and Members of the Council
The Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters would like to offer their support for Bill 40 relating to thetransient accommodations tax
Specifically this bill must contain a fixed percentage of the TAT that is dedicated to funding for rail sothe city can finish the project in fiscally responsible way without the need to raise property taxes
Dedicating a percentage of the TAT will also pay for the ongoing operations and maintenance of thesystem after construction has been completed again without the need to raise property taxes
Modernizing our infrastructure is important piece of the Biden administrationrsquos plan to ldquoBuild BackBetterrdquo Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will restore confidence with the FTA andcould potentially unlock additional federal funding opportunities
The downtown and Ala Moana rail stations will have a combined 11600 housing units as a result of theTransit Orientated Development planning and without a completed Rail project TOD and our affordablehousing goals cannot be met
Mass transit will decrease our dependance on imported oil reduce our greenhouse gas emissions andallow for the creation of walkable bikeable communities and safe streets for families
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has studied the impact of public transportation systems and rail isassociated with reductions in several health risk factors such as motor vehicle crashes air pollution andphysical inactivity
STATE HEADQUARTERS amp BUSINESS OFFICESOAIIU 1311 Hoiighiailirig SEreetHonnlulu Hawaii 96S17rsquo2711 bull Ph (808) 847-5761 Fax (808) 440-9188
111W OFFICE 525 Kilauca Avenue Room 205 Fur Hawaii 967203050 bull Ph (808) 935-8575 lOx (808) 935-8576KONA OFFICE 75-126 Lunapule RoadKajlua-Kona Hawaii 96740-2106 bull Ph (808) 329-7355 Fax (808) 326-9376
MAUI OFFICE 330 Hookahi StreetWailuku Maui 96793-1449 bull Ph (808) 2426891 Fax (808) 242-5961IA[JAI OFFICE KuIjo Medical CEr Bldg3-3295 Kuhio HwySuiteZOiLihue Kauai 96766-1040 Ph(SO8) 245-8511 Fax (808) 245-8911
A completed rail system will afford greater transportation options for Honolulu especially for seniors
and those who cannot afford the high costs of owning a vehicle
And it will enhance the quality life for leeward families who spend hours in traffic each day
Mahalo for your consideration
Nathaniel KinneynRinncyhrcc-bwflccm
MOVEOAHUFORWARD
October 6 2021
Chairman Tommy Waters and members of the Honolulu City Council
Aloha my name is Jennifer Sabas and I serve as the Executive Director of Move Oahu Forward a nonprofit organization supporting the Honolulu rail project as an integral part of a robust publictransportation system on Oahu I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish atransient accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of this amount I wouldrespectfully request that a portion be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project Thisnew revenue source a tourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both of whosewill ride the finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utility relocationalso continues Work either out to bid or ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficultsection of Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and a dedicated localrevenue source will allow for the completion of a system that will transform Oahu - Westside familieswill have the option to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending an hour+ in trafficTransit-oriented developments to include affordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances for many Oahu families
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support and look forward to a rigorousdebate and discussion in the months ahead
Aloha
Jennifer SabasExecutive DirectorMove Oahu ForwardP0 Box 1329Honolulu HI 96807
jennifermoveoahuforwardorg
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 353 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Nelisa Asato
Phone
Email nasatomatsoncomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee CouncilAgenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter SupportRepresenting Organization
Organization Matson Navigation Company IncWritten Testimony
Testimony AttachmentAccept Terms and Agreement 1
IP 19216820067
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 419 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Denise Boisvert
Phone
Email infofordeniseyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
YES I FULLY SUPPORT Bill 40 proposed by ChairWaters
Written Testimony All the requirements in the proposed bill are EXCELLENT
Mahalo to all for your kind consideration to more this billforward
Testimony Attachment
AcceptTerms and1
Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 418 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mary Kate Duggan
Phone
Email marykateelizabethduggangmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Resolution 21-234
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
Written Testimony
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and Agreement 1
lP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 423 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Kim Jorgensen
Phone
Email hawaiicondoyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on thematter
Support
Representing SelfOrganization
Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony on Bill 40 IWritten Testimonyfully SUPPORT it
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and1Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
HAwAII STATE AFL-CIO888 Mililani Street Suite 501 bull Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Randy Perreira Telephone (808)597-1441President Fax (808) 593-2149
City CouncilCity and County of Honolulu
Testimony byHawairsquoi State AFL-CIO
October 6 2021
Testimony in SUPPORT of Bill 40 Relating tothe Transient Accommodations Tax
The Hawairsquoi State AFL-CIO is a state federation of 74 affiliate local unions and councils with over68000 members across both public and private sectors We appreciate the opportunity to testify insupport of Bill 40
Of all counties in the state swift measures must be taken to mitigate the negative impact overtourismhas on Honolulursquos infrastructure Traffic congestion in Honolulu is exacerbated by the visitorindustry Establishing a three percent transient accommodations tax is key to generating the revenueneeded to invest in Orsquoahursquos public transportation system The Honolulu Rail Transit Project is apublic good that will benefit 0rsquo ahu workers residents and visitors alike by providing a publictransportation option that complements The Bus and further relieves traffic congestion where it ismost needed
We appreciate your consideration of our testimony in support of Bill 40 and strongly urge you to passthis bill
ectfullysnitted
Randy PerreiraPresident
Dion DizonQfbwtcio org
HAWAII APPLESEEDCENTER FOR LAW amp ECONOMIC JUSTTCE
Testimony of the Hawairsquoi Appleseed Center for Law and Economic JusticeSUPPORT mdash Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
City and County of HonoluluWednesday October 6 2021 10AM
Aloha Chair Waters and Councilmembers
We at Hawaii Appleseed strongly support Bill 40 and efforts to use TAT funds to complete therail project as it will dramatically increase the housing stock in TOD areas and create efficientand equitable access to transit To support the affordable housing that Oahu desperately needswe must finish the rail and provide the subsidies needed to ensure that housing is prioritized forlocal residents and stays affordable over the long-term
In addition we urge the council to provide that a fixed percentage of the TAT be allocatedto rail funding so the project can be completed in a fiscally responsible way with a securefunding stream Ideally all of the necessary funds for completion and ongoing maintenance cancome from this dedicated funding which is paid for by visitors to Oahu
Finishing the rail will enable thousands of homes to be built along the rail corridor Withappropriate affordability restrictions and public support these homes can address the severeshortage of affordable housing here on Oahu A recent 2020 study prepared by PBR Hawaii forthe Hawaii Office of Planning estimates the addition of 50900 residential units around the EastKapolei Stadium and lwilei TOD areas alone1rsquo Although these homes will be built in phasesover the next 40 years it is clear that development around rail can substantially contribute to oursupply of affordable housing According to the 2019 Hawaii Housing Planning Study Oahu willneed an additional 22168 residential units by 2025 with half of the need for households withcombined incomes of $75000 or less
Rail is needed to alleviate traffic and provide walkable neighborhoodsAs Oahu plans for the future we should be focused on housing constructed in walkable urbanneighborhoods with easy access to amenities parks and transit To support the smartaffordable and sustainable growth that is needed we should be building around rail-but first wemust complete the rail Access to rail offers an alternative to driving is likely to reduce traffic for
1 July 2020 State Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning and Implementation Project for theisland of Dahu by PBR Hawaii for the Hawaii State Office of Planning Attachment C
communities along the Leeward Coast and wHI create a more equitable way to access theurban core of Honolulu
We strongly urge the council to pass Bill 40 and to continue to work towards creating acomprehensive affordable housing strategy for the residents of Oahu Completing the rail is vitalto enable housing construction but it will take further efforts to ensure that a majority of housingis reserved for local residents and stays affordable over time
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify
Kenna Stormogipsonkennahibudgetorg
October 5 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer And Council Members
Honolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accomodation Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members
I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transient accommodations tax forthe City and County of Honolulu In addition I respectfully request a portion of this generatedtax to be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project We all realize the pastchallenges of the rail project but now have a great opportunity to position HART for a successfulcompletion of the Rail system
With the new leadership at HART I am more confident than ever that we have the managementindustry tmst transparency technical expertise and action plan required to move this projectahead This dedicated funding source which will be shouldered by our tourist will allowconstruction to continue toward a successful completion for ALL of us This will also spurTransit Oriented Deveiopment around the system to help create housing and businessopportunities in our communities
Thank you for this opportunity to submit my support for Bill 40 and to generate an additionalrevenue source for HART
Respectfully
Dexter Kubota PEVice President
dkubota bowersandkubotacom
a a aareg
aqJrsquoJ1001 Bishop Street I Suite 625 I Honolulu HI 96213-28301-866-295-7282 I Fax 808-536-2882
bull aarporghi I aarphiaarporg I twittercomAARPHawaiI
H auva i I
Honolulu City CouncilOctober 6 2021 1000 am
TO The Honorable Tommy Waters ChairpersonRE Bill 40mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the Committee
My name is Kealirsquoi Lopez and I am the State Director for AARP Hawairsquoi AARP is a membershiporganization of people age fifty and over with nearly 145000 members in HawaiiAARP Hawaii supports Bill 40 which seeks to establish transient accommodations tax (TAT) forthe City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and facilitate thereceipt and deposit of the revenue derived
We respectfully wish to add our comment and support for a dedicated percentage of the TATthat will support the mass transit project Having an ongoing dedicated source of funding willhelp pay for mass transit project the ongoing operations and maintenance of the system afterconstruction has been completed and without the need to raise property taxes
AARP has been a strong proponent of an age-friendly community that includesbull Multi-modal forms of transportation for people of all ages Rail affords another
transportation option for Honolulu especially for seniors and those who cannot affordthe high costs of owning a vehicle
bull Transit Orient Developments (TaD) with affordable housings built within walking andbiking distance of major rail stations
Bill 40 provides an opportunity for the City to modernize and complete our transportationinfrastructure Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will help restore confidencewith the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) and could potentially unlock additionalfederal funding opportunities and other public sources to finish the project Thank you for theopportunity to testify in support of Bill 40
Sincerely
lsquos--rsquo hr
Kealirsquoi Lopez State Director
klopezaarporg
BIABUILDING INDUSTRY
A S SOC AT ION ana
TESTIMONY TO THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCILHONOLULU HALE
COUNCIL CHAMBERSOctober 6 2021
900 AM
Honorable Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Council
RE Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
My name is Daryl Takamiya Chair of the Government Relations Committee of the BuildingIndustry Association of Hawaii (BIA-HawaN) Chartered in 1955 the Building IndustryAssociation of Hawaii is a professional trade organization affiliated with the National Associationof Home Builders representing the building industry and its associates BIA-HawaH takes aleadership role in unifying and promoting the interests of the industry to enhance the quality oflife for the people of Hawah Our members build the communities we all call home
BIA-Hawaii is in support of Bill 40 which would establish a transient accommodations tax for theCity and County of Honolulu specifically the portion of the bill that would provide for a depositinto the established transit fund
BIA-Hawaii continues to support the transit system on the island of Oahu because it willincrease the availability of housing as transit-oriented development communities are built Thelack of affordable housing and other quality of life issues continue to plague our communitiesImproving transportation will only help to alleviate these issues and without a completed railproject affordable housing goals will not be met Bill 40 will be an important component toensure that the transit system is brought to successful completion
We appreciate the opportunity to express our views on Sill 40
Stefanie Y Sakamotostefsakamotoconsultingcom
tamp 006-629-7501 94-487 Akoki St Ste 213 wwwbiahawakorg
fax 808-629-7701 Waipahu HI 9679 infobiahawaiiorg
From CLK Council Into
Sent Tuesday October 5 2021 657 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Stanford Masui
Phone
Email standamanniasuigmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-202 1
CouncilPHBudgetCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40
YOLIE positionOppose
on the matter
Representing Organization
Organization RAILSOS (Study Other Solutions)
Chairman Waters and members of the councilOur organization opposes this bill as written1 It assumes that a portion of the TAT will be set aside for a transit fund for the rail Thisassumption should not he made without a vigorous discussion as whether funds should hesiphoned off for a project that is no longer financially viable To put it bluntly why ldquothrowgood money after badrdquo
2 The rail is at an inflection point as to whether it should he constructed beyond its currentendpoint at Middle St or further intensive study as to viable alternatives rather thancontinuing on to Ala Moana at a prohibitive cost Past VIA administrators have urged the cityto consider modification of its plans a clear signal that additional funding may not beforthcoming
Wutten3 Transit Oriented Development is a myth Most of the buildina of condos in the KapiolaniTestimony -corridor were planned without any consideration of the rail route This is amply demonstratedby the fact that while HART struggles to come up with a funding plan and completion to AlaMoana is questionable developers are proceeding to build The numbers and actual cost ofaffordable housing in these condos are still too expensive for most people to afford Only onemajor project currently is in Ewa and that was planned years before the rail was developed
4 There are urgent issues that require immediate and priority funding homelessness and themental health system police fire and emergency services funding road and highwayimprovement and cleanup and improvement of tourist recreational areas such as parks andbeaches
5 Rather than triggering economic growth the public will be saddled with enormous debt bythe borrowed funding and operational expense estimated variously at present at $120- $150
million per year Electricity costs will cause operational expense to double This project couldbankrupt the city
6 HART should develop a funding or recovery plan before it comes to the council for aportion of TAT revenues
7 The final Environmental Impact Statement indicates only a minimal effect in alleviatingtraffic congestion which is the major argument in favor of funding the rail- The motoringpublic will not see any improvement in driving times and the studies were made years agoand are no longer reliable
The Council is urged to delete any provision that funds the rail in favor of funding otherurgent prioritiesThank you for your consideration
Te stin]on yAttachment
Accept TermsI
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 730 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Leslie M Inouye
Phone
Email Iinouyel4gmai1com
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHBuddeget
Committee
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position onOppose
the matter
Representing Self
Organization
Chairman Waters and City Council I and many others who have only recently becomeaware of Bill 40 must oppose the the use of the TAT to help fund rail It seems there are any
Writtennumber of backdoor plans to find the funds for rail despite the ongoing litany of items thateither have no clear fix andor no specific bottom line At some point you must realize thatTestimony
the rail is not a sustainable to use the popular contemporary term project and to continuepursuing this immense burden portends financial ruin for all of us Please let common senserule your decisions
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IF 19216820067
1
1 PETER A GANABANbull Business Manager
ampcretarj- Treasure
ALFONSO OlIVERPesident
JOBY NORTh IIlice President
TONI FIG(ERO4Recording Secretary
JAMES DRLrsquoMGOLD JRExecutiye Bd
ORLANDO PAESTEExecutive Board
JOSFIrsquoK jAWEsecutiw Board
ESTIIERAILA4udaor
RUSSELl NAPIIIA-4Auditor
SI lsquoIRK TRAVALINO4uJior
MAITINARAN4YDOamprgearn-dt-Arms
LIUNA Local 3681617 Palarna StreetHonolulu HI 96817
Phone (808) 841-5877Fax (808)847-7829
wiwIocaI368org
LiUNA
TESTIMONY OF THE HAWAII LABORERSrsquo UNION LOCAL 358
Honolulu City CouncilCouncil Meeting
Wednesday October 6 20211000 AM
RE Bill 40(2021) mdash RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATION TAX(TAT)
Chair Waters Vice-chair Kiarsquoaina and Council Members
The Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 and its 5000 working and retired men andwomen across the state of Hawaii stand in strong support of Bill 40(2021) whichestablishes a transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) for the City and Countyof Honolulu
The TAT funding proposed in Bill 40 would allow the City and County of Honoluluto maintain and preserve our island while mitigating the impacts of our naturalresources while also building new and existing infrastructure - including theHonolulu Rail Project This proposed measure would help generate much neededrevenue while having our island visitors help in sharing the cost
Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 respectfully requests that the council takefavorable action on this measure and support Bill 40
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony
Shingayi MasiyaGovernment Relations Director
Feel the Power
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 754 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Paul Yonamine
PhoneEmail paulyonaminecpbbank
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncil
Committee
Agenda Item Testimony and Support for Bill 40Your position
Supporton the mailer
Representing Self
Organization
Testimony and Support for Bill 40
I am Paul Yonamine Executive Chairman of Central Pacific Bank andI am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transientaccommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of thisamount I would respectfully request that a portion be set aside for thecompletion of the Honolulu rail project This new revenue source atourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both ofwhom will use and ride a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steadypace Work on utility relocation also continues Work either out to bidor ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficult section of
Written Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and aTestimony dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of a
system that wilt transform Oahu - Westside families will have theoption to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending anhourdivide in traffic Transit-oriented developments (TOD) to includeaffordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances
Rail and TOD represents the single most important economic driverfor the City and County of Honolulu and the state of Hawaii It alsopresents an invaluable opportunity for more affordable housingdevelopment for generations to come Donrsquot stop and impedeprogress of rail because of past project mismanagement We shouldmake sure the project is fully funded and that capable projectmanagers are hired positioned and empowered to complete thisproject
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support andlook forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 824 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Michael KamakaPhone
Email mkamakabowersandkubotacomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40 - Transient Accommodations TaxYour position
Supporton the matterRepresenting SelfOrganization
October 6 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer and Council MembersHonolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Sill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodation TaxDear Chair Waters and MembersPlease accept this written testimony of my support of Bill 40 toestablish a transient accommodations tax for the City and County ofHonolulu Under Sill 40
Written I believe a transient accommodations tax collects the fair and equitableTestimony amount from visitors who enjoy our City and County of Honolulu today
and in the future The tax will provide funding to mitigate impacts ofvisitors by providing money to support the restoration and maintenanceof public facilitiesAs part of the mitigation to the impacts of visitors I respectfully requesta portion of this transient accommodations tax be set aside to supportthe completion of the Honolulu rail project A rail system will helpmitigate the impacts by visitors in the Honolulu area by providing acleaner alternative of transportation thereby minimizing pollutantscaused by vehicle traffic and congestionAlthough there has been fiscal schedule and constructabilitychallenges there is a renewed hope and optimism for the completionof the rail system A renewable source of funding is the opportunity toposition HART for a successful completion of the rail system With new
1
leadership at HART I am confident HART has the people industrytrust transparency technical expertise and viable action plan neededto move this project ahead Funding through a portion of the transientaccommodation tax will provide a sustainable and dedicated fundingsource to allow construction to continueThank you for allowing me this opportunity to submit my support for Bill40Respectfully
Michael Kamaka PE Principal
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
Testimony ofacific Resource artrership
City CouncilCity amp County of Honolulu
Councflmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoatildeina Vice Chair
Bill 40 (2021)mdashRelating to the transient accommodations taxWednesday October 6 2021
Aloha Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiarsquoatildeina and Members ofhe Council
Pacific Resource Partrersbip (PRP) writes ir strong support of Bill 40 (2021) which establishes a ansentaccommocaiors tax (TAT) for the City and County of Honolulu We esoectfully reqes tna the Lrdquoalversion of this bill nave a xed percersquoage of ne TAT dedicated to fund the Honolulu Ral Transit Project(Rail) for the completion of 20 miles with 21 stations from West Kapolei to Ala Moana
A dedicated percentage of the TAT to Rail will help the City complete this important infrastructureproject which will provide many benefits to the residents of Oahu including but not limited to
bull Support the development of equitable transit-oriented communities where housingcommercialretail and community services will be facilitated by a robust multimodal transportationretwork comprised of public and private modes
bull Ersquocouage t-e develoorner of bosng around rail saos inducing mucr--eedec afrsquoordab ehousing
bull Generate more rea propety tax revenue for the cty lsquoom the constructon o accional homesbusinesses and other facilkies built around rail stations
bull Provide more job opportunities for our local workforce who will build rail and its surroundingcommunities in TOD areas and who will work at businesses in these new communities
bull Reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and other local air pollution by allowing drivers of vehiclesto use Rail as an alternative mode of transportation
bull Incentivize increased density in TOD areas thereby releasing growth pressures from other areaswhich are important to maintain open space and other rural community characteristics
cdeIaunayprp-hawaiicom
THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIP WWW PRP HAWAII COMJ
I IO ALAKEA STREET 4TH rLooR ID TWIITER WWW ACER0OKCOWHoNoLursquou HI 96813 6PRPHAWAII AcIFIcREsouRcEpARTNERsRlp
PHONE 4 8085285557
(Continued From Page 1)
Given the above we request your favorable decision on this bill
Thank you for this opportunity to testify
S
PRPTHE POWER O PARTNERSH[P
From CLK Council InfoSent Monday October 4 2021 450 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Joy KimuraPhone
Email jkimurahawaNIecetorgMeeting Date 10-06-2021CouncilPH Committee CouncilAgenda Item Bill 40 (2021)Your position on the matter SupportRepresenting OrganizationOrganization Hawaii LECETWritten Testimony
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and Agreement 1
IP 19216820067
1
HAWAII LABORERS-EMPLOYERS COOPERATION AND EDUCATION TRUST 650 Iwilei Road Suite 285 Honolulu HI 96817 Phone 808-845-3238 Fax 808-845-8300
October 4 2021
HONOLULU CITY COUNCIL City Council Chamber
Honolulu Hawaii 96813 DATE Wednesday October 6 2021
TIME 1000 am
TESTIMONY ON BILL 40 (2021) - RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMODATIONS TAX To Committee Chair Waters Vice Chair Kia`aina and members of the Honolulu City Council Hawaii LECET is a labor-management partnership between the Hawaii Laborersrsquo International Union of North America Local 368 itsrsquo 5000+ members and itsrsquo 250+ unionized contractors The Laborersrsquo International Union of North America is the largest construction union in the United States Mahalo for the opportunity to testify in support of Bill 40 (2021) which seeks to establish a County Transient Accommodations Tax to support restoration of funding which was diverted by the Hawaii State Legislature Bill 40 would also ensure that visitors share in the costs for services provided by the City and County of Honolulu as well as fund efforts to mitigate the impacts on natural resources due to tourism For these reasons Hawaii LECET supports Bill 40 (2021) and asks for your consideration and support With respect Hawaii Laborers-Employers Cooperation amp Education Trust
TO Members of the Honolulu City Council
FROM Natalie Iwasa CPA CFE808-395-3233
DATE Wednesday October 6 2021
SUBJECT Bill 40 Transient Accommodations Tax - OPPOSED
Aloha Chair Waters and Councilmembers
Thank you for allowing testimonyrsquo on Bill 40 which would implement atransient accommodations tax (TAT) at the county level and assign certaincurrently unspecified amounts to the general fund the transit fund (for railconstruction) and a new special fund I oppose this bill for several reasonsand am testifying in my individual capacity
TAT Related to the Transit Fund
No additional funding should go to rail for the following reasons
bull The financial plan has not yet been updated and the recovery planlsquohch will include an updated financia Han isnrsquot due tinti] enrv nextyear
bull There has been no public discussion of the 25+ alternative ideas thatwere discussed by HART staff earlier this year
bull The current shortfall for rail construction has been estimated at gt S3billion If the city provided 5100 millionyear from the TAT for railconstruction it would take 30 years to pay off the current shortfallexcluding additional financing costs
bull HART still has no internal audit function and the Internal AuditCommittee of the HART board that was recently added to the approvedboard rules is on hold
bull There is no tip hotline or fraud policy
It would be irresponsible for crnmcilmembers to approve any additionalfunding for rail construction until these matters are taken care of
Natalie IwasaBill 40 TATPage 2
Special Fund
According to Chapter 6 of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu we alreadyhave 50 special or revolving funds Please clean up what is already there beforeadding any new funds
Administration
Sec 8A-19 Rent collection by third party includes a requirement that a copy ofthe first page of the rental agreement or IRS Form 1099 and certain otherdocuments must be filed with the city Renta agreements may include privatepersonal information about tenants I therefore oppose the requirement toprovide this information to the city
In addition the Form 1099 may include a landlordrsquos social security number Ioppose the requirement to provide this to the city These requirements go toofar in an attempt to enforce a county TAT
Sec 8A-1 13(a) (1) Application of tax indicates that any rental for less than 180consecutive days is presumed to be for a transient purpose This presumptiondoes not take into consideration the fact that locals may need to rent for lesstHu 180 days for various reasons I therefore oppose this sectinn
MARRIOTTVACATIONS
WORLDWIDESM
October 5 2021
TO Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairMembers of the Honolulu City Council
FR Denis Ebrill Marriott Vacations Worldwide CorporationRE Comments on Bill 40 Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
Aloha Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiarsquoaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Thank you for allowing me to submit testimony on behalf of Marriott Vacations WorldwideCorporation (ldquoMVWCrdquo) providing Comments and Amendments to Bill 40 establishing atransient accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu MVVC is a global leader inthe timeshare industry with ten resort properties in Hawaii Timeshare resorts are an important andstabilizing part of the tourism industry and resort development provides thousands of constructionjobs in Hawaii per year
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (ldquoCountyTATrdquo) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gross rental proceeds derivedfrom the furnishing of transient accommodations Every transient accommodation broker travelagency and tour packager that arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shallpay the County TAT Further every time share vacation plan must be represented by a planmanager Pursuant to Section 7 the new Count TAT is considered Levied on the effective date ofBill 40
MVWC understands the Countyrsquos intentions in establishing the County TAT however wehave concerns with the implementation of the additional 3 percent increase Implementing theCounty 1rsquoAT upon approval puts hotel operators at a disadvantage Essentially this would meanthat the Count TAT would be retroactively applicable to reservations made on the effective dateeven though the bill has not been signed by the Mayor Furthermore hotel operators will notbe able to 1) disclose the new tax to guests in advance and 2) adjust booking systems and rentalagreements to collect the new tax from guests after the County TAT has been officially establishedAdditionally timeshare resorts will need to update their Hawaii disclosure statements and file withthe Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (ldquoDCCArdquo)
Accordingly MVWC respectfully requests the County TAT not be levied until at aminimum not earlier than 30 days after Bill 40rsquos approval to allow 1) appropriate notice to begiven to travel partners that the law has been signed 2) booking systems to be updated with thenew County TAT and 3) rental agreements to be modified with the new requiredlanguage Furthermore an additional 30 days provides resorts an adequate amount of time toprovide proper notice to guests update disclosure statements with DCCA and coordinate withthird party booking platforms to accommodate new tax
9002 San Marco Court Orlando Florida 32819 T 407-206-6000 F 407-206-6420 cornProud supporter of Childrenrsquos Miracle Network Hospitals
Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairOctober 52021Page 2
Moreover an additional 30 days after signing would be consistent with the timeframe ofprevious increases in TAT at the state level and recent implementation in other counties Typicallywhen the TAT was increased at the state level in the past the legislation would allow for severalmonths to enable the hotel industry to adjust internal booking systems to properly disclose andcharge for the increased rate Further Maui County recently passed their own county TAT with alevied date of November 12021 which will be approximately 30 days after it is signed into lawMaui County found the additional time to be a fair comprise to allow the hotel industry to accountfor the County TAT
Based upon the foregoing MVWC recommends the following amendments to Bill 40
1 Amend Section 7 to state ldquoThis ordinance takes effect upon its approval The transientaccommodations tax established by this ordinance is considered levied 30 days afterapprovalrdquo
Mahalo for your consideration of these amendments
Aloha
Dcnis EbrillSenior Vice PresidentMarriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation
Evan Cueqvimanaka-asatocpm
AQU AbullbullA S TO NH OS P I TA LIT V
October 52021
TO Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice ChairMembers of the Honolulu City Council
FR Aqua-Aston Hospitality
RE Comments on Bill 40 Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
Aloha Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiarsquoaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Thank you for allowing Aqua-Aston Hospitality LLC (ldquoAqua-Astonrdquo) to provideComments and Amendments to Bill 40 establishing a transient accommodations tax for the Cityand County of Honolulu Aqua-Aston has engaged in hotel and resort management in the state ofHawaii for over 75 years
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (ldquoCountyTATrdquo) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gloss rental proceeds derivedfrom the iltraishing of transient accommodations Ever transient accommodation broker travelagency and tour packager tat arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shallpay the County TAT Pursuant to Section 7 the new County TAT is considered levied on theeffective date of Bill 40
AquamdashAston understands the Countyrsquos intentions in establishing the County TAT inresponse to Act I Special Session Laws of Hawairsquo i which stripped the County of allocated StateTransient Accommodations Tax Nevertheless we have concerns with the implementation ofthe additional 3 percent increase Having the County TAT levied upon approval puts hoteloperators at a disadvantage Hotel operators 1) will not be able to disclose the County TAT toguests who have already booked in advance of or on the effective date nor 2) sufficient time toadjust booking systems and rental agreements to enable them to collect the County TAT on theeffective date Similarly the County TAT would be retroactively applicable to reservations madeon the effective date even though the bill has not yet been signed by the Mayor
Aqua-Aston respectfully requests the County TAT be levied until at a minimum notearlier than 30 days after Bill 40rsquos approval to allow I) appropriate notice to be given to travelpartners 2) booking engines to be updated with the new County TAT and 3) rentalagreements to be modified with the new required language Furthermore an additional 30 daysprovides resorts an adequate amount of time to provide proper notice to guests and coordinate withthird party booking platforms to accommodate the Count)rsquo TAT
Office 820 MilHani St Ste 600 Honolulu HI 96813 T 803-931-1400MaiHrig Address 6649 Westwood Blvd Orlando FL 32821
Moreover an additional 30 days after signing would be consistent with the timeframe ofprevious increases in TAT at the state level and recent implementation in other counties Typicallywhen the TAT was increased at the state level in the past the legislation would allow for severalmonths to enable the hotel industry to adjust internal booking systems to properly disclose andcharge for the increased rate Further Maui County recently passed their own county TAT with alevied date of November 1 202L which will be approximately 30 days after it is signed into lawMaui County found the additional time to be a fair compromise to allow the hotel industry toaccount for the County TAT
Accordingly Aqua-Aston recommends the following amendment to Bill 40
1 Amend Section 7 to state ldquoThis ordinance takes effect upon its approval The transientaccommodations tax established by this ordinance is considered levied 30 days afterapprovalrdquo
Mahalo for your consideration of these amendments
Respectfully submitted
Denis EbrillAqua Aston Hospitality LLC Managing Director
Evan Dueeouecjmanaka-asatocorn
Office 820 Mililani St Ste 600 Honolulu HI 96813 1808-931-1400Mailing Address 6649 Westwood Blvd Orlando FL 32821
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 1047 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Evan CuePhone
Email eoueimanaka-asatocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40Your position on the
Commentmatter
Representing Organization
Organization ARDA Hawaii
Please find attached ARDA Hawaiirsquos Testimony providingWritten Testimonycomments on Bill 40
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and1Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
1
October 5 2021
TO Councilmember Tommy Waters Chair
Councilmember Esther Kiaaina Vice- Chair
Members of the Honolulu City Council
FR AMERICAN RESORT DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION ndash HAWAII (ARDA Hawaii)
RE Comments on Bill 40 (Bill 40) RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT
ACCOMMODATIONS TAX (ESTABLISHING A TRANSIENT
ACCOMMODATIONS TAX FOR THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU
PROVIDE FOR ITS IMPOSITION AND DISPOSITION AND FACILITATE THE
RECEIPT AND DEPOSIT OF THE REVENUES DERIVED FROM THE TRANSIENT
ACCOMMODATIONS TAX)
Aloha Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Thank you for allowing ARDA Hawaii to submit testimony providing Comments and
Amendments to Bill 40 establishing a transient accommodations tax for the City and County of
Honolulu ARDA Hawaii is the local chapter of the trade association for the timeshare industry
Timeshare is an important and stabilizing part of the tourism industry and Honolulus economy
Timeshare owners have made a long-term commitment to Honolulu by purchasing and owning
real property in the County These owners are consistent and dependable visitors who bring
substantial tax dollars and continue to come even during periods of economic downturn
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (County
TAT) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gross rental proceeds derived
from the furnishing of transient accommodations Every transient accommodation broker travel
agency and tour packager that arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shall
pay the County TAT Further every time share vacation plan must be represented by a plan
manager Pursuant to Section 7 the new County TAT is considered levied on the effective date of
Bill 40
ARDA Hawaii understands the need for the County to establish the County TAT
however we have concerns with the timing of the application of the additional 3 percent
increase Having the County TAT levied upon approval puts hotel operators at a disadvantage
Essentially this would mean that the County TAT would be retroactively applicable to
2
reservations made on the effective date even though the bill has not been signed by the Mayor
Furthermore hotel operators will not be able to 1) disclose the new tax to guests in advance and
2) adjust booking systems and rental agreements to collect the new tax from guests after the
County TAT has been officially established In turn operators will need to pay for the County
TAT themselves for reservations on the effective date
Moreover timeshare resorts will need to update their Hawaii disclosure statements and
file with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) This is often a time-
consuming process requiring approval from the DCCA Having Bill 40 be levied upon approval
will lead to inadequate disclosure to customers Imposing the County TAT in this manner will
make it impossible for developers and operators to provide full and fair disclosure to buyers
owners and other occupants
Accordingly ARDA Hawaii respectfully requests the County TAT be levied at a
minimum not earlier than 30 days after Bill 40s approval to allow 1) appropriate notice to be
given to travel partners that the law has been signed 2) hotel operators to charge for the
County TAT that is officially passed 3) booking engines to be updated with the new County
TAT and 4) rental agreements to be modified with the new required language Further the any
additional time will provide developers and timeshare operators time to update disclosure
statements with DCCA and provide consumers with full and fair disclosure
Specifically ARDA Hawaii recommends the following amendment to Bill 40
1 Amend Section 7 to state This ordinance takes effect upon its approval The transient
accommodations tax established by this ordinance is considered levied 30 days after
approval
Mahalo for your consideration of our comments We look forward to working with the
Council on implementing a policy that will enhance the ability of developers and operators to
comply with the new existing laws and requirements that compel fair and full disclosure of the
County TAT to consumers
Respectfully Submitted
Mitchell A Imanaka
Chair
American Resort Development Association of Hawaii
HAWAII OPERATING ENGINEERSINDusTRY STABILIZATION FuND
(ccedilg) 1
lsquoheftzc cqr ltnagth ant orkrn ngctaer(a a Ut
October 5 2021
Honorable Tommy Waters Honolulu City Council ChairHonorable Esther Kiarsquoaacuteina Honolulu City Council Vice ChairHonorable Members of the Honolulu City Council
RE Bill 40(2021) Relating to the transient accommodations tax (Establishing a transient
accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and
facilitate the receipt and deposit of the revenues derived from the transient accommodations tax)
Chair Waters
My name is Pane Meatoga Ill and I am the Community Liaison representing the Hawaii OperatingEngineers Industry Stabilization Fund (HOEISF) We are a labor management fund representing 3000unionized members in heavy engineering site work and 500 general contractors specializing in heavy siteand vertical construction Our organization would like to offer our written testimony in support of Bill40(2021)
Construction of the rait guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utility relocationalso continues Currently construction work has either been bid out or is ready to start the bidingprocess and design work is ongoing for the most difficult section of Dillingham Boulevard We aregetting closer to the finish line and members of Operating Engineers Local 3 and other trade unions arehard at work making this project a reality
We believe a dedicated local revenue source that is not from real property taxes will allow for thecompleUon of a rail system that lsquoArsquoill transform Oahu for the benefit of future generations A fixedpercentage of the Cityrsquos Transient Accommodation Tax (TAT) dedicated to rail is exactly what the countyneeds now to continue this project We recommend that the Honolulu City Council consider allocatinga percentage of the Countyrsquos TAT to the Honolulu Rail Project
We appreciate the Honolulu City Council taking up this bill We look forward to Bill 40 progressingthrough the legislative process and we look forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
Sincerely
Pane Meatoga IllHawaii Operating Engineers Industry Stabilization Fund
pnceuroh pciLccrn
DUHO1IFONjasorsca4 ampuatildeder
HAWAII
October 52021
Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairMembers of the Honolulu City Council
RE Comments on Bill 40 (ldquoBill 40rdquo) Rclating to the Transient Accommodations TaxHearing date Wednesday October 6 2021 at 1000 AM
Aloha Chair Waters Vicc Chair Kiarsquoaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Mahalo for the opportunity to submit testimony on behalf of DR Horton Hawaii LLC(ldquoDR Hortonrdquo) in Support of Bill 40 relating to the transient accommodations tax DR Hortonis one of Hawaiirsquos largest home builders and has been providing affordable housing and first-timebuyer homes for Hawaiirsquos families throughout Oahu for nearly fifty years
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (ldquoCountyTATrdquo) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gross rental proceeds derivedfrom the furnishing of transient accommodations Every transient accommodation broker travelagency and tour packagDr that arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shallpay the County TAT Additionally Bill 40 allocates percentages of the tax revenue generated bythe County TAT into I) the general fund 2) the transit fund established under Chapter 6 Article61 and 3) a special account in the general fund specifically used to mitigate the impacts of visitorson public facilities including the restoration and maintenance of beaches and parks
Prinarily DR Horton supports an allocation of the County TAT to be dedicated tofunding the rail project We favor a fixed allocation of funding that will enable the city to finishand maintain the project in a fiscally responsible way allowing the rail project to be completedwithout raising property taxes or endangering the Countyrsquos bond rating Furthermore funding therail project will restore confidence with the FTA and potentially unlock much needed federalfunding
Additionally the completion of the rail project will directly influence the creation of asignificant inventory of much needed affordable housing Completing the rail project willincentivize transit oriented development around the downtown and Ala Moana rail stationsprojected to create an additional 11600 housing units Failing to complete the rail project will putus that much further behind the curve in reaching our collective affordable housing goals
Dahu Maui Hawaii Island Kauai
130 Merchant Street Suite 112 Honolulu Hawaii 96813 8085215661
wwwdrhortoncomhawaii
Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairOctober 52021Page 2
Finally completion of the rail has the added benefit of decreasing our dependance onimported oil and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging multi-modal forms oftransportation that are both walkable and bikeable consistent with the Cityrsquos long term planninggoals Further the completion of the rail project will create a much needed connection betweenmaster planned communities in Ewa and downtown Honolulu enhancing the quality life forfamilies living in West Oahu
In summary DR Horton supports Bill 40 and the proposed allocations Mahalo for yourtime and consideration It is very much appreciated Should you have any questions please donot hesitate to contact me at 808-782-4109 or ttonakicdrhortoneom
Sincerely
9KTracy TonakiSenior Vice President
Evan Quoeoueirnanaka-asatoeom
1065 Ahua StreetHonolulu H 96819Phone 808-833-1681 FAX 839-4167Email jfbullfccedileaIigcaQia (iINERAI (lsquo()NrIAuIORS ASSOCIATION OF I IAWAIIWebsite wwwgcahawoiiore
Quality People Quality Projects
October 162021
Councilman Tommy Waters ChairMembers of the City CouncilCity amp County of the Honolulu CityHonolulu HI 96813
Re Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the City Council
The General Contractors Association of Hawaii (GCA) is an organization comprised ofapproximately five hundred (500) general contractors subcontractors and construction relatedfirms The GCA was established in 1932 and is the largest construction association in the Stateof Hawaii Our mission is to elevate Hawaiirsquos construction industry and strengthen thefoundation of our community
GCA is in STRONG SUPPORT of Bill 40 which establishes a transient accommodations taxfor the City and County of Honolulu
Of this amount we respectfully request that a portion be set aside for the completion of theI lonolulu rail project This new revenue source a tourist tax comes from our visitors rather thanour residents both of whom will use and ridc a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utilityrelocation also continues A dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of asystem that will transform Oahu Westsidc families will have the option to ride the rail to workand school rather than spending an hour-4- in traffic
Further transit-oriented developments include affordable units along the route This will helpaddress our housing shortage asll600 housing units along the downtown and Ala Moana railstations will be completed as a result of the TOD planning This creates multi-modals form oftransportation that allow for walkable bikeable communities and safe streets for families
Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony in support of Bill 40
Ryan Sakuda
ryan(gcahawaiiorg
-4rsquo
a4714rdquo t014 5n
Testimony by Harry SaundersPresident Castle amp Cooke Hawairsquoi
October 5 2021
City and County of Honolulu City CouncilRegarding
BILL 40 (2021)RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS TAX
SUPPORT WITH COMMENTS
Chair amp Presiding Officer Tommy Waters Vice Chair Esther Kiarsquoaumlina and Members of the City Council
I am Harry Saunders Presidcnt of Castle amp Cookc Hawairsquoi Thank you for the opportunity to submittcstimony regarding Bill 40 (2021)
Castic amp Cooke Hawairsquoi supports the intent of Bill 40 that will dedicate a portion of the transientaccommodations tax into a transportation fund It is critical that this bill have a fixed percentage of thetransient accommodations tax dedicated towards the funding of the rail so the city can finish the projectin a fiscally responsible way without raising property taxes and endangering our cityrsquos bond rating
Allocating a fixed percentage of the transient accommodations tax to fund the rail transit project will havelong temi benefits to visitors and kamarsquoaina alike
Rail will provide multi-modal opportunities giving residents transportation options It will help reducethe dependence on vehicles and its requisite imported oils with overall benefits to the health of ourenvironment Rail will reduce commute times for residents living in outlying communities The timethey gain back will enhance their quality of life
It also provides housing and redevelopment opportunities to communities With this redevelopmentcomes affordable housing Affordable housing planned in Transit Oriented Development for thedowntown and Ala Moana rail stations is a combined 11600 housing units
Allocating a fixed percentage of the TAT funding to Rail will pay for the ongoing operations andmaintenance of the system after construction has been completed again without the need to raiseproperty taxes
Mahalo for your consideration of my testimony Should you have any questions please feel free tocontact us
Harry Saunders Garret MatsunamiPresident Vice President Residential OperationsCastle amp Cooke Hawairsquoi Castle amp Cooke Hawairsquoifsakai(i2eastlecookeeom gmatsunamicastlecookecomPhone 548-4884 Phone 626-3625llcQmacastIecookecom
680 Iwilei Road Box 510 Honolulu Hawaii 96817Phone (808) 548-4811 Fax (808) 548-6690
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 110 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mufi HannemannPhoneEmail mhannemanncopyhawaBlodgingorgMeeting Date 10-06-2021CouncilPH
CouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40Your position
Commenton the matter
Representing Organization
Organization Hawairsquoi Lodging amp Tourism AssociationTestimony ofMufi HannemannPresident amp CEOHawaii Lodging amp Tourism Association
Honolulu City CouncilBill 40 (2021)October 6 2021
Chair Waters and members of the Honolulu City Council mahalo forthe opportunity to submit testimony on behalf of the Hawaii Lodging ampTourism Association the statersquos largest private sector visitor industryorganization
WrittenTestimony The Hawaii Lodging amp Tourism Associationmdashnearly 700 members
strong representing more than 50000 hotel rooms and nearly 40000lodging workersmdashstrongly opposed the passage of House Bill 862which among myriad other issues stripped the State TransientAccommodations Tax (TAT) allocation to the counties and allowed forup to an additional three percent surcharge to be levied on lodgingproperties The surcharge proposed by this measure represents a 29increase to the TAT that comes at a highly inopportune time for anindustry that has been drastically affected by the pandemic and travelrestrictions However with the veto override by the Legislature andthe ultimate passage of HB 862 we recognize the financial position inwhich the City amp County of Honolulu finds itself and the need todeliberate on the introduced bill As the latest version of Bill 40 (2020)does not stipulate the percentages by which the collected tax monies
will be divided between the general fund transit fund and theunnamed visitor impact fund we would like to provide comments onthe proposed measure at this time
As the vast majority of monies raised by the TATmdashand the new threepercent surchargemdashwill undoubtedly come from the pockets of visitorsit is our position that the lionrsquos share of these funds should be utilizedto address tourism related needs and the impacts created by travelersto Hawaii The opportunities in this regard are seemingly endless andcould include more routine county tasks such as road refinishing andupdates to our infrastructure but should also be used on projects moredirectly associated with tourism impacts like trail management beachand park maintenance additional support for first responders and theprovision of adequate public safety staffing at beaches and other Cityinstallations
We are all aware of the discussions currently happening in thecommunity that focus upon tourism its impact on our naturalresources and communities and the significant role it plays in oureconomy Anti-tourism sentiments are at an all-time high and both thetourism industry and the community are working to strike a finebalance that suits both residents and visitors to our home Relegatinga significant portion of funds generated by the surcharge to the tourismimpact fund would ensure that the City is appropriately addressing thevarious issues surrounding tourism with visitor dollars and would maketransparency in the process that much more likely The HawaiiTourism Authorityrsquos Destination Management Action Plan processmdashwhich aims to better manage tourism for our entire statemdashhas beencompleted for Oahu and this would be an ideal jumping off point tobegin discussion of how surcharge funds are utilized for some of theirpriorities Finally we would also like to better understand who willoversee the special tourism impact fund and ensure that said funds willbe used for their intended purposes through a transparent process
We look forward to a robust public discourse on this measure andthank you for the opportunity to provide these comments
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
Mobi[e 8084288717
c EmaH indascFarzschtzcoIlabortvecoin- lsquo- 5chatzcohaboratvecomcollaborative
October 5 2021
Via email to Honolulu City Council
SUBJECT Bill 40(2021) mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations TaxCouncil Meeting October 6 2021 1000am
Dear Council Members
I am submitting written testimony to offer comments to Bill 40
This bill must have a fixed percentage of the TAT dedicated to funding the rail to avoidraising property taxes or jeopardizing our bond rating
Irsquove been a housing advocate and developer for the last 20 years and have supported effortsto create multi-modal neighborhoods in the primary urban core If a fixed percentage of atleast half of the TAT to the county goes to rail construction operations and rail focusedactivities such as TOD it will help create ripe conditions for housing redevelopment andwalkable communities Rail is also a catalyst to begin the efforts to bring back sociallyequitable planning efforts to disadvantaged neighborhoods on Dahu Without a dedicatedsource of funding we lose so much more in terms of equitable opportunities for Oahursquoscommunity and future generations
Thank you again for the opportunity to submit this testimony If there are any questions or ifadditional information is needed please do not hesitate to contact me at (808)428-8717
Warmest Regards
Linda Schatz
Principal
HAWAII REGIONAL COUNCIL OF
CARPENTERS
October 6 2021
City Council
City amp County of Honolulu
Councilmember Tommy Waters Chair
Councilmember Esther Kiarsquoatildeina Vice Chair
Statement of the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters mdash SUPPORT for Bill 40 (2021)mdashRelating to thetransient accommodations tax
Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiarsquoatildeina and Members of the Council
The Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters would like to offer their support for Bill 40 relating to thetransient accommodations tax
Specifically this bill must contain a fixed percentage of the TAT that is dedicated to funding for rail sothe city can finish the project in fiscally responsible way without the need to raise property taxes
Dedicating a percentage of the TAT will also pay for the ongoing operations and maintenance of thesystem after construction has been completed again without the need to raise property taxes
Modernizing our infrastructure is important piece of the Biden administrationrsquos plan to ldquoBuild BackBetterrdquo Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will restore confidence with the FTA andcould potentially unlock additional federal funding opportunities
The downtown and Ala Moana rail stations will have a combined 11600 housing units as a result of theTransit Orientated Development planning and without a completed Rail project TOD and our affordablehousing goals cannot be met
Mass transit will decrease our dependance on imported oil reduce our greenhouse gas emissions andallow for the creation of walkable bikeable communities and safe streets for families
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has studied the impact of public transportation systems and rail isassociated with reductions in several health risk factors such as motor vehicle crashes air pollution andphysical inactivity
STATE HEADQUARTERS amp BUSINESS OFFICESOAIIU 1311 Hoiighiailirig SEreetHonnlulu Hawaii 96S17rsquo2711 bull Ph (808) 847-5761 Fax (808) 440-9188
111W OFFICE 525 Kilauca Avenue Room 205 Fur Hawaii 967203050 bull Ph (808) 935-8575 lOx (808) 935-8576KONA OFFICE 75-126 Lunapule RoadKajlua-Kona Hawaii 96740-2106 bull Ph (808) 329-7355 Fax (808) 326-9376
MAUI OFFICE 330 Hookahi StreetWailuku Maui 96793-1449 bull Ph (808) 2426891 Fax (808) 242-5961IA[JAI OFFICE KuIjo Medical CEr Bldg3-3295 Kuhio HwySuiteZOiLihue Kauai 96766-1040 Ph(SO8) 245-8511 Fax (808) 245-8911
A completed rail system will afford greater transportation options for Honolulu especially for seniors
and those who cannot afford the high costs of owning a vehicle
And it will enhance the quality life for leeward families who spend hours in traffic each day
Mahalo for your consideration
Nathaniel KinneynRinncyhrcc-bwflccm
MOVEOAHUFORWARD
October 6 2021
Chairman Tommy Waters and members of the Honolulu City Council
Aloha my name is Jennifer Sabas and I serve as the Executive Director of Move Oahu Forward a nonprofit organization supporting the Honolulu rail project as an integral part of a robust publictransportation system on Oahu I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish atransient accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of this amount I wouldrespectfully request that a portion be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project Thisnew revenue source a tourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both of whosewill ride the finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utility relocationalso continues Work either out to bid or ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficultsection of Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and a dedicated localrevenue source will allow for the completion of a system that will transform Oahu - Westside familieswill have the option to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending an hour+ in trafficTransit-oriented developments to include affordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances for many Oahu families
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support and look forward to a rigorousdebate and discussion in the months ahead
Aloha
Jennifer SabasExecutive DirectorMove Oahu ForwardP0 Box 1329Honolulu HI 96807
jennifermoveoahuforwardorg
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 353 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Nelisa Asato
Phone
Email nasatomatsoncomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee CouncilAgenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter SupportRepresenting Organization
Organization Matson Navigation Company IncWritten Testimony
Testimony AttachmentAccept Terms and Agreement 1
IP 19216820067
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 419 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Denise Boisvert
Phone
Email infofordeniseyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
YES I FULLY SUPPORT Bill 40 proposed by ChairWaters
Written Testimony All the requirements in the proposed bill are EXCELLENT
Mahalo to all for your kind consideration to more this billforward
Testimony Attachment
AcceptTerms and1
Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 418 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mary Kate Duggan
Phone
Email marykateelizabethduggangmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Resolution 21-234
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
Written Testimony
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and Agreement 1
lP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 423 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Kim Jorgensen
Phone
Email hawaiicondoyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on thematter
Support
Representing SelfOrganization
Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony on Bill 40 IWritten Testimonyfully SUPPORT it
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and1Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
HAwAII STATE AFL-CIO888 Mililani Street Suite 501 bull Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Randy Perreira Telephone (808)597-1441President Fax (808) 593-2149
City CouncilCity and County of Honolulu
Testimony byHawairsquoi State AFL-CIO
October 6 2021
Testimony in SUPPORT of Bill 40 Relating tothe Transient Accommodations Tax
The Hawairsquoi State AFL-CIO is a state federation of 74 affiliate local unions and councils with over68000 members across both public and private sectors We appreciate the opportunity to testify insupport of Bill 40
Of all counties in the state swift measures must be taken to mitigate the negative impact overtourismhas on Honolulursquos infrastructure Traffic congestion in Honolulu is exacerbated by the visitorindustry Establishing a three percent transient accommodations tax is key to generating the revenueneeded to invest in Orsquoahursquos public transportation system The Honolulu Rail Transit Project is apublic good that will benefit 0rsquo ahu workers residents and visitors alike by providing a publictransportation option that complements The Bus and further relieves traffic congestion where it ismost needed
We appreciate your consideration of our testimony in support of Bill 40 and strongly urge you to passthis bill
ectfullysnitted
Randy PerreiraPresident
Dion DizonQfbwtcio org
HAWAII APPLESEEDCENTER FOR LAW amp ECONOMIC JUSTTCE
Testimony of the Hawairsquoi Appleseed Center for Law and Economic JusticeSUPPORT mdash Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
City and County of HonoluluWednesday October 6 2021 10AM
Aloha Chair Waters and Councilmembers
We at Hawaii Appleseed strongly support Bill 40 and efforts to use TAT funds to complete therail project as it will dramatically increase the housing stock in TOD areas and create efficientand equitable access to transit To support the affordable housing that Oahu desperately needswe must finish the rail and provide the subsidies needed to ensure that housing is prioritized forlocal residents and stays affordable over the long-term
In addition we urge the council to provide that a fixed percentage of the TAT be allocatedto rail funding so the project can be completed in a fiscally responsible way with a securefunding stream Ideally all of the necessary funds for completion and ongoing maintenance cancome from this dedicated funding which is paid for by visitors to Oahu
Finishing the rail will enable thousands of homes to be built along the rail corridor Withappropriate affordability restrictions and public support these homes can address the severeshortage of affordable housing here on Oahu A recent 2020 study prepared by PBR Hawaii forthe Hawaii Office of Planning estimates the addition of 50900 residential units around the EastKapolei Stadium and lwilei TOD areas alone1rsquo Although these homes will be built in phasesover the next 40 years it is clear that development around rail can substantially contribute to oursupply of affordable housing According to the 2019 Hawaii Housing Planning Study Oahu willneed an additional 22168 residential units by 2025 with half of the need for households withcombined incomes of $75000 or less
Rail is needed to alleviate traffic and provide walkable neighborhoodsAs Oahu plans for the future we should be focused on housing constructed in walkable urbanneighborhoods with easy access to amenities parks and transit To support the smartaffordable and sustainable growth that is needed we should be building around rail-but first wemust complete the rail Access to rail offers an alternative to driving is likely to reduce traffic for
1 July 2020 State Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning and Implementation Project for theisland of Dahu by PBR Hawaii for the Hawaii State Office of Planning Attachment C
communities along the Leeward Coast and wHI create a more equitable way to access theurban core of Honolulu
We strongly urge the council to pass Bill 40 and to continue to work towards creating acomprehensive affordable housing strategy for the residents of Oahu Completing the rail is vitalto enable housing construction but it will take further efforts to ensure that a majority of housingis reserved for local residents and stays affordable over time
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify
Kenna Stormogipsonkennahibudgetorg
October 5 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer And Council Members
Honolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accomodation Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members
I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transient accommodations tax forthe City and County of Honolulu In addition I respectfully request a portion of this generatedtax to be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project We all realize the pastchallenges of the rail project but now have a great opportunity to position HART for a successfulcompletion of the Rail system
With the new leadership at HART I am more confident than ever that we have the managementindustry tmst transparency technical expertise and action plan required to move this projectahead This dedicated funding source which will be shouldered by our tourist will allowconstruction to continue toward a successful completion for ALL of us This will also spurTransit Oriented Deveiopment around the system to help create housing and businessopportunities in our communities
Thank you for this opportunity to submit my support for Bill 40 and to generate an additionalrevenue source for HART
Respectfully
Dexter Kubota PEVice President
dkubota bowersandkubotacom
a a aareg
aqJrsquoJ1001 Bishop Street I Suite 625 I Honolulu HI 96213-28301-866-295-7282 I Fax 808-536-2882
bull aarporghi I aarphiaarporg I twittercomAARPHawaiI
H auva i I
Honolulu City CouncilOctober 6 2021 1000 am
TO The Honorable Tommy Waters ChairpersonRE Bill 40mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the Committee
My name is Kealirsquoi Lopez and I am the State Director for AARP Hawairsquoi AARP is a membershiporganization of people age fifty and over with nearly 145000 members in HawaiiAARP Hawaii supports Bill 40 which seeks to establish transient accommodations tax (TAT) forthe City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and facilitate thereceipt and deposit of the revenue derived
We respectfully wish to add our comment and support for a dedicated percentage of the TATthat will support the mass transit project Having an ongoing dedicated source of funding willhelp pay for mass transit project the ongoing operations and maintenance of the system afterconstruction has been completed and without the need to raise property taxes
AARP has been a strong proponent of an age-friendly community that includesbull Multi-modal forms of transportation for people of all ages Rail affords another
transportation option for Honolulu especially for seniors and those who cannot affordthe high costs of owning a vehicle
bull Transit Orient Developments (TaD) with affordable housings built within walking andbiking distance of major rail stations
Bill 40 provides an opportunity for the City to modernize and complete our transportationinfrastructure Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will help restore confidencewith the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) and could potentially unlock additionalfederal funding opportunities and other public sources to finish the project Thank you for theopportunity to testify in support of Bill 40
Sincerely
lsquos--rsquo hr
Kealirsquoi Lopez State Director
klopezaarporg
BIABUILDING INDUSTRY
A S SOC AT ION ana
TESTIMONY TO THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCILHONOLULU HALE
COUNCIL CHAMBERSOctober 6 2021
900 AM
Honorable Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Council
RE Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
My name is Daryl Takamiya Chair of the Government Relations Committee of the BuildingIndustry Association of Hawaii (BIA-HawaN) Chartered in 1955 the Building IndustryAssociation of Hawaii is a professional trade organization affiliated with the National Associationof Home Builders representing the building industry and its associates BIA-HawaH takes aleadership role in unifying and promoting the interests of the industry to enhance the quality oflife for the people of Hawah Our members build the communities we all call home
BIA-Hawaii is in support of Bill 40 which would establish a transient accommodations tax for theCity and County of Honolulu specifically the portion of the bill that would provide for a depositinto the established transit fund
BIA-Hawaii continues to support the transit system on the island of Oahu because it willincrease the availability of housing as transit-oriented development communities are built Thelack of affordable housing and other quality of life issues continue to plague our communitiesImproving transportation will only help to alleviate these issues and without a completed railproject affordable housing goals will not be met Bill 40 will be an important component toensure that the transit system is brought to successful completion
We appreciate the opportunity to express our views on Sill 40
Stefanie Y Sakamotostefsakamotoconsultingcom
tamp 006-629-7501 94-487 Akoki St Ste 213 wwwbiahawakorg
fax 808-629-7701 Waipahu HI 9679 infobiahawaiiorg
From CLK Council Into
Sent Tuesday October 5 2021 657 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Stanford Masui
Phone
Email standamanniasuigmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-202 1
CouncilPHBudgetCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40
YOLIE positionOppose
on the matter
Representing Organization
Organization RAILSOS (Study Other Solutions)
Chairman Waters and members of the councilOur organization opposes this bill as written1 It assumes that a portion of the TAT will be set aside for a transit fund for the rail Thisassumption should not he made without a vigorous discussion as whether funds should hesiphoned off for a project that is no longer financially viable To put it bluntly why ldquothrowgood money after badrdquo
2 The rail is at an inflection point as to whether it should he constructed beyond its currentendpoint at Middle St or further intensive study as to viable alternatives rather thancontinuing on to Ala Moana at a prohibitive cost Past VIA administrators have urged the cityto consider modification of its plans a clear signal that additional funding may not beforthcoming
Wutten3 Transit Oriented Development is a myth Most of the buildina of condos in the KapiolaniTestimony -corridor were planned without any consideration of the rail route This is amply demonstratedby the fact that while HART struggles to come up with a funding plan and completion to AlaMoana is questionable developers are proceeding to build The numbers and actual cost ofaffordable housing in these condos are still too expensive for most people to afford Only onemajor project currently is in Ewa and that was planned years before the rail was developed
4 There are urgent issues that require immediate and priority funding homelessness and themental health system police fire and emergency services funding road and highwayimprovement and cleanup and improvement of tourist recreational areas such as parks andbeaches
5 Rather than triggering economic growth the public will be saddled with enormous debt bythe borrowed funding and operational expense estimated variously at present at $120- $150
million per year Electricity costs will cause operational expense to double This project couldbankrupt the city
6 HART should develop a funding or recovery plan before it comes to the council for aportion of TAT revenues
7 The final Environmental Impact Statement indicates only a minimal effect in alleviatingtraffic congestion which is the major argument in favor of funding the rail- The motoringpublic will not see any improvement in driving times and the studies were made years agoand are no longer reliable
The Council is urged to delete any provision that funds the rail in favor of funding otherurgent prioritiesThank you for your consideration
Te stin]on yAttachment
Accept TermsI
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 730 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Leslie M Inouye
Phone
Email Iinouyel4gmai1com
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHBuddeget
Committee
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position onOppose
the matter
Representing Self
Organization
Chairman Waters and City Council I and many others who have only recently becomeaware of Bill 40 must oppose the the use of the TAT to help fund rail It seems there are any
Writtennumber of backdoor plans to find the funds for rail despite the ongoing litany of items thateither have no clear fix andor no specific bottom line At some point you must realize thatTestimony
the rail is not a sustainable to use the popular contemporary term project and to continuepursuing this immense burden portends financial ruin for all of us Please let common senserule your decisions
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IF 19216820067
1
1 PETER A GANABANbull Business Manager
ampcretarj- Treasure
ALFONSO OlIVERPesident
JOBY NORTh IIlice President
TONI FIG(ERO4Recording Secretary
JAMES DRLrsquoMGOLD JRExecutiye Bd
ORLANDO PAESTEExecutive Board
JOSFIrsquoK jAWEsecutiw Board
ESTIIERAILA4udaor
RUSSELl NAPIIIA-4Auditor
SI lsquoIRK TRAVALINO4uJior
MAITINARAN4YDOamprgearn-dt-Arms
LIUNA Local 3681617 Palarna StreetHonolulu HI 96817
Phone (808) 841-5877Fax (808)847-7829
wiwIocaI368org
LiUNA
TESTIMONY OF THE HAWAII LABORERSrsquo UNION LOCAL 358
Honolulu City CouncilCouncil Meeting
Wednesday October 6 20211000 AM
RE Bill 40(2021) mdash RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATION TAX(TAT)
Chair Waters Vice-chair Kiarsquoaina and Council Members
The Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 and its 5000 working and retired men andwomen across the state of Hawaii stand in strong support of Bill 40(2021) whichestablishes a transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) for the City and Countyof Honolulu
The TAT funding proposed in Bill 40 would allow the City and County of Honoluluto maintain and preserve our island while mitigating the impacts of our naturalresources while also building new and existing infrastructure - including theHonolulu Rail Project This proposed measure would help generate much neededrevenue while having our island visitors help in sharing the cost
Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 respectfully requests that the council takefavorable action on this measure and support Bill 40
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony
Shingayi MasiyaGovernment Relations Director
Feel the Power
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 754 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Paul Yonamine
PhoneEmail paulyonaminecpbbank
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncil
Committee
Agenda Item Testimony and Support for Bill 40Your position
Supporton the mailer
Representing Self
Organization
Testimony and Support for Bill 40
I am Paul Yonamine Executive Chairman of Central Pacific Bank andI am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transientaccommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of thisamount I would respectfully request that a portion be set aside for thecompletion of the Honolulu rail project This new revenue source atourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both ofwhom will use and ride a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steadypace Work on utility relocation also continues Work either out to bidor ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficult section of
Written Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and aTestimony dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of a
system that wilt transform Oahu - Westside families will have theoption to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending anhourdivide in traffic Transit-oriented developments (TOD) to includeaffordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances
Rail and TOD represents the single most important economic driverfor the City and County of Honolulu and the state of Hawaii It alsopresents an invaluable opportunity for more affordable housingdevelopment for generations to come Donrsquot stop and impedeprogress of rail because of past project mismanagement We shouldmake sure the project is fully funded and that capable projectmanagers are hired positioned and empowered to complete thisproject
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support andlook forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 824 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Michael KamakaPhone
Email mkamakabowersandkubotacomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40 - Transient Accommodations TaxYour position
Supporton the matterRepresenting SelfOrganization
October 6 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer and Council MembersHonolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Sill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodation TaxDear Chair Waters and MembersPlease accept this written testimony of my support of Bill 40 toestablish a transient accommodations tax for the City and County ofHonolulu Under Sill 40
Written I believe a transient accommodations tax collects the fair and equitableTestimony amount from visitors who enjoy our City and County of Honolulu today
and in the future The tax will provide funding to mitigate impacts ofvisitors by providing money to support the restoration and maintenanceof public facilitiesAs part of the mitigation to the impacts of visitors I respectfully requesta portion of this transient accommodations tax be set aside to supportthe completion of the Honolulu rail project A rail system will helpmitigate the impacts by visitors in the Honolulu area by providing acleaner alternative of transportation thereby minimizing pollutantscaused by vehicle traffic and congestionAlthough there has been fiscal schedule and constructabilitychallenges there is a renewed hope and optimism for the completionof the rail system A renewable source of funding is the opportunity toposition HART for a successful completion of the rail system With new
1
leadership at HART I am confident HART has the people industrytrust transparency technical expertise and viable action plan neededto move this project ahead Funding through a portion of the transientaccommodation tax will provide a sustainable and dedicated fundingsource to allow construction to continueThank you for allowing me this opportunity to submit my support for Bill40Respectfully
Michael Kamaka PE Principal
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
(Continued From Page 1)
Given the above we request your favorable decision on this bill
Thank you for this opportunity to testify
S
PRPTHE POWER O PARTNERSH[P
From CLK Council InfoSent Monday October 4 2021 450 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Joy KimuraPhone
Email jkimurahawaNIecetorgMeeting Date 10-06-2021CouncilPH Committee CouncilAgenda Item Bill 40 (2021)Your position on the matter SupportRepresenting OrganizationOrganization Hawaii LECETWritten Testimony
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and Agreement 1
IP 19216820067
1
HAWAII LABORERS-EMPLOYERS COOPERATION AND EDUCATION TRUST 650 Iwilei Road Suite 285 Honolulu HI 96817 Phone 808-845-3238 Fax 808-845-8300
October 4 2021
HONOLULU CITY COUNCIL City Council Chamber
Honolulu Hawaii 96813 DATE Wednesday October 6 2021
TIME 1000 am
TESTIMONY ON BILL 40 (2021) - RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMODATIONS TAX To Committee Chair Waters Vice Chair Kia`aina and members of the Honolulu City Council Hawaii LECET is a labor-management partnership between the Hawaii Laborersrsquo International Union of North America Local 368 itsrsquo 5000+ members and itsrsquo 250+ unionized contractors The Laborersrsquo International Union of North America is the largest construction union in the United States Mahalo for the opportunity to testify in support of Bill 40 (2021) which seeks to establish a County Transient Accommodations Tax to support restoration of funding which was diverted by the Hawaii State Legislature Bill 40 would also ensure that visitors share in the costs for services provided by the City and County of Honolulu as well as fund efforts to mitigate the impacts on natural resources due to tourism For these reasons Hawaii LECET supports Bill 40 (2021) and asks for your consideration and support With respect Hawaii Laborers-Employers Cooperation amp Education Trust
TO Members of the Honolulu City Council
FROM Natalie Iwasa CPA CFE808-395-3233
DATE Wednesday October 6 2021
SUBJECT Bill 40 Transient Accommodations Tax - OPPOSED
Aloha Chair Waters and Councilmembers
Thank you for allowing testimonyrsquo on Bill 40 which would implement atransient accommodations tax (TAT) at the county level and assign certaincurrently unspecified amounts to the general fund the transit fund (for railconstruction) and a new special fund I oppose this bill for several reasonsand am testifying in my individual capacity
TAT Related to the Transit Fund
No additional funding should go to rail for the following reasons
bull The financial plan has not yet been updated and the recovery planlsquohch will include an updated financia Han isnrsquot due tinti] enrv nextyear
bull There has been no public discussion of the 25+ alternative ideas thatwere discussed by HART staff earlier this year
bull The current shortfall for rail construction has been estimated at gt S3billion If the city provided 5100 millionyear from the TAT for railconstruction it would take 30 years to pay off the current shortfallexcluding additional financing costs
bull HART still has no internal audit function and the Internal AuditCommittee of the HART board that was recently added to the approvedboard rules is on hold
bull There is no tip hotline or fraud policy
It would be irresponsible for crnmcilmembers to approve any additionalfunding for rail construction until these matters are taken care of
Natalie IwasaBill 40 TATPage 2
Special Fund
According to Chapter 6 of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu we alreadyhave 50 special or revolving funds Please clean up what is already there beforeadding any new funds
Administration
Sec 8A-19 Rent collection by third party includes a requirement that a copy ofthe first page of the rental agreement or IRS Form 1099 and certain otherdocuments must be filed with the city Renta agreements may include privatepersonal information about tenants I therefore oppose the requirement toprovide this information to the city
In addition the Form 1099 may include a landlordrsquos social security number Ioppose the requirement to provide this to the city These requirements go toofar in an attempt to enforce a county TAT
Sec 8A-1 13(a) (1) Application of tax indicates that any rental for less than 180consecutive days is presumed to be for a transient purpose This presumptiondoes not take into consideration the fact that locals may need to rent for lesstHu 180 days for various reasons I therefore oppose this sectinn
MARRIOTTVACATIONS
WORLDWIDESM
October 5 2021
TO Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairMembers of the Honolulu City Council
FR Denis Ebrill Marriott Vacations Worldwide CorporationRE Comments on Bill 40 Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
Aloha Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiarsquoaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Thank you for allowing me to submit testimony on behalf of Marriott Vacations WorldwideCorporation (ldquoMVWCrdquo) providing Comments and Amendments to Bill 40 establishing atransient accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu MVVC is a global leader inthe timeshare industry with ten resort properties in Hawaii Timeshare resorts are an important andstabilizing part of the tourism industry and resort development provides thousands of constructionjobs in Hawaii per year
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (ldquoCountyTATrdquo) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gross rental proceeds derivedfrom the furnishing of transient accommodations Every transient accommodation broker travelagency and tour packager that arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shallpay the County TAT Further every time share vacation plan must be represented by a planmanager Pursuant to Section 7 the new Count TAT is considered Levied on the effective date ofBill 40
MVWC understands the Countyrsquos intentions in establishing the County TAT however wehave concerns with the implementation of the additional 3 percent increase Implementing theCounty 1rsquoAT upon approval puts hotel operators at a disadvantage Essentially this would meanthat the Count TAT would be retroactively applicable to reservations made on the effective dateeven though the bill has not been signed by the Mayor Furthermore hotel operators will notbe able to 1) disclose the new tax to guests in advance and 2) adjust booking systems and rentalagreements to collect the new tax from guests after the County TAT has been officially establishedAdditionally timeshare resorts will need to update their Hawaii disclosure statements and file withthe Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (ldquoDCCArdquo)
Accordingly MVWC respectfully requests the County TAT not be levied until at aminimum not earlier than 30 days after Bill 40rsquos approval to allow 1) appropriate notice to begiven to travel partners that the law has been signed 2) booking systems to be updated with thenew County TAT and 3) rental agreements to be modified with the new requiredlanguage Furthermore an additional 30 days provides resorts an adequate amount of time toprovide proper notice to guests update disclosure statements with DCCA and coordinate withthird party booking platforms to accommodate new tax
9002 San Marco Court Orlando Florida 32819 T 407-206-6000 F 407-206-6420 cornProud supporter of Childrenrsquos Miracle Network Hospitals
Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairOctober 52021Page 2
Moreover an additional 30 days after signing would be consistent with the timeframe ofprevious increases in TAT at the state level and recent implementation in other counties Typicallywhen the TAT was increased at the state level in the past the legislation would allow for severalmonths to enable the hotel industry to adjust internal booking systems to properly disclose andcharge for the increased rate Further Maui County recently passed their own county TAT with alevied date of November 12021 which will be approximately 30 days after it is signed into lawMaui County found the additional time to be a fair comprise to allow the hotel industry to accountfor the County TAT
Based upon the foregoing MVWC recommends the following amendments to Bill 40
1 Amend Section 7 to state ldquoThis ordinance takes effect upon its approval The transientaccommodations tax established by this ordinance is considered levied 30 days afterapprovalrdquo
Mahalo for your consideration of these amendments
Aloha
Dcnis EbrillSenior Vice PresidentMarriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation
Evan Cueqvimanaka-asatocpm
AQU AbullbullA S TO NH OS P I TA LIT V
October 52021
TO Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice ChairMembers of the Honolulu City Council
FR Aqua-Aston Hospitality
RE Comments on Bill 40 Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
Aloha Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiarsquoaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Thank you for allowing Aqua-Aston Hospitality LLC (ldquoAqua-Astonrdquo) to provideComments and Amendments to Bill 40 establishing a transient accommodations tax for the Cityand County of Honolulu Aqua-Aston has engaged in hotel and resort management in the state ofHawaii for over 75 years
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (ldquoCountyTATrdquo) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gloss rental proceeds derivedfrom the iltraishing of transient accommodations Ever transient accommodation broker travelagency and tour packager tat arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shallpay the County TAT Pursuant to Section 7 the new County TAT is considered levied on theeffective date of Bill 40
AquamdashAston understands the Countyrsquos intentions in establishing the County TAT inresponse to Act I Special Session Laws of Hawairsquo i which stripped the County of allocated StateTransient Accommodations Tax Nevertheless we have concerns with the implementation ofthe additional 3 percent increase Having the County TAT levied upon approval puts hoteloperators at a disadvantage Hotel operators 1) will not be able to disclose the County TAT toguests who have already booked in advance of or on the effective date nor 2) sufficient time toadjust booking systems and rental agreements to enable them to collect the County TAT on theeffective date Similarly the County TAT would be retroactively applicable to reservations madeon the effective date even though the bill has not yet been signed by the Mayor
Aqua-Aston respectfully requests the County TAT be levied until at a minimum notearlier than 30 days after Bill 40rsquos approval to allow I) appropriate notice to be given to travelpartners 2) booking engines to be updated with the new County TAT and 3) rentalagreements to be modified with the new required language Furthermore an additional 30 daysprovides resorts an adequate amount of time to provide proper notice to guests and coordinate withthird party booking platforms to accommodate the Count)rsquo TAT
Office 820 MilHani St Ste 600 Honolulu HI 96813 T 803-931-1400MaiHrig Address 6649 Westwood Blvd Orlando FL 32821
Moreover an additional 30 days after signing would be consistent with the timeframe ofprevious increases in TAT at the state level and recent implementation in other counties Typicallywhen the TAT was increased at the state level in the past the legislation would allow for severalmonths to enable the hotel industry to adjust internal booking systems to properly disclose andcharge for the increased rate Further Maui County recently passed their own county TAT with alevied date of November 1 202L which will be approximately 30 days after it is signed into lawMaui County found the additional time to be a fair compromise to allow the hotel industry toaccount for the County TAT
Accordingly Aqua-Aston recommends the following amendment to Bill 40
1 Amend Section 7 to state ldquoThis ordinance takes effect upon its approval The transientaccommodations tax established by this ordinance is considered levied 30 days afterapprovalrdquo
Mahalo for your consideration of these amendments
Respectfully submitted
Denis EbrillAqua Aston Hospitality LLC Managing Director
Evan Dueeouecjmanaka-asatocorn
Office 820 Mililani St Ste 600 Honolulu HI 96813 1808-931-1400Mailing Address 6649 Westwood Blvd Orlando FL 32821
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 1047 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Evan CuePhone
Email eoueimanaka-asatocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40Your position on the
Commentmatter
Representing Organization
Organization ARDA Hawaii
Please find attached ARDA Hawaiirsquos Testimony providingWritten Testimonycomments on Bill 40
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and1Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
1
October 5 2021
TO Councilmember Tommy Waters Chair
Councilmember Esther Kiaaina Vice- Chair
Members of the Honolulu City Council
FR AMERICAN RESORT DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION ndash HAWAII (ARDA Hawaii)
RE Comments on Bill 40 (Bill 40) RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT
ACCOMMODATIONS TAX (ESTABLISHING A TRANSIENT
ACCOMMODATIONS TAX FOR THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU
PROVIDE FOR ITS IMPOSITION AND DISPOSITION AND FACILITATE THE
RECEIPT AND DEPOSIT OF THE REVENUES DERIVED FROM THE TRANSIENT
ACCOMMODATIONS TAX)
Aloha Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Thank you for allowing ARDA Hawaii to submit testimony providing Comments and
Amendments to Bill 40 establishing a transient accommodations tax for the City and County of
Honolulu ARDA Hawaii is the local chapter of the trade association for the timeshare industry
Timeshare is an important and stabilizing part of the tourism industry and Honolulus economy
Timeshare owners have made a long-term commitment to Honolulu by purchasing and owning
real property in the County These owners are consistent and dependable visitors who bring
substantial tax dollars and continue to come even during periods of economic downturn
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (County
TAT) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gross rental proceeds derived
from the furnishing of transient accommodations Every transient accommodation broker travel
agency and tour packager that arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shall
pay the County TAT Further every time share vacation plan must be represented by a plan
manager Pursuant to Section 7 the new County TAT is considered levied on the effective date of
Bill 40
ARDA Hawaii understands the need for the County to establish the County TAT
however we have concerns with the timing of the application of the additional 3 percent
increase Having the County TAT levied upon approval puts hotel operators at a disadvantage
Essentially this would mean that the County TAT would be retroactively applicable to
2
reservations made on the effective date even though the bill has not been signed by the Mayor
Furthermore hotel operators will not be able to 1) disclose the new tax to guests in advance and
2) adjust booking systems and rental agreements to collect the new tax from guests after the
County TAT has been officially established In turn operators will need to pay for the County
TAT themselves for reservations on the effective date
Moreover timeshare resorts will need to update their Hawaii disclosure statements and
file with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) This is often a time-
consuming process requiring approval from the DCCA Having Bill 40 be levied upon approval
will lead to inadequate disclosure to customers Imposing the County TAT in this manner will
make it impossible for developers and operators to provide full and fair disclosure to buyers
owners and other occupants
Accordingly ARDA Hawaii respectfully requests the County TAT be levied at a
minimum not earlier than 30 days after Bill 40s approval to allow 1) appropriate notice to be
given to travel partners that the law has been signed 2) hotel operators to charge for the
County TAT that is officially passed 3) booking engines to be updated with the new County
TAT and 4) rental agreements to be modified with the new required language Further the any
additional time will provide developers and timeshare operators time to update disclosure
statements with DCCA and provide consumers with full and fair disclosure
Specifically ARDA Hawaii recommends the following amendment to Bill 40
1 Amend Section 7 to state This ordinance takes effect upon its approval The transient
accommodations tax established by this ordinance is considered levied 30 days after
approval
Mahalo for your consideration of our comments We look forward to working with the
Council on implementing a policy that will enhance the ability of developers and operators to
comply with the new existing laws and requirements that compel fair and full disclosure of the
County TAT to consumers
Respectfully Submitted
Mitchell A Imanaka
Chair
American Resort Development Association of Hawaii
HAWAII OPERATING ENGINEERSINDusTRY STABILIZATION FuND
(ccedilg) 1
lsquoheftzc cqr ltnagth ant orkrn ngctaer(a a Ut
October 5 2021
Honorable Tommy Waters Honolulu City Council ChairHonorable Esther Kiarsquoaacuteina Honolulu City Council Vice ChairHonorable Members of the Honolulu City Council
RE Bill 40(2021) Relating to the transient accommodations tax (Establishing a transient
accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and
facilitate the receipt and deposit of the revenues derived from the transient accommodations tax)
Chair Waters
My name is Pane Meatoga Ill and I am the Community Liaison representing the Hawaii OperatingEngineers Industry Stabilization Fund (HOEISF) We are a labor management fund representing 3000unionized members in heavy engineering site work and 500 general contractors specializing in heavy siteand vertical construction Our organization would like to offer our written testimony in support of Bill40(2021)
Construction of the rait guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utility relocationalso continues Currently construction work has either been bid out or is ready to start the bidingprocess and design work is ongoing for the most difficult section of Dillingham Boulevard We aregetting closer to the finish line and members of Operating Engineers Local 3 and other trade unions arehard at work making this project a reality
We believe a dedicated local revenue source that is not from real property taxes will allow for thecompleUon of a rail system that lsquoArsquoill transform Oahu for the benefit of future generations A fixedpercentage of the Cityrsquos Transient Accommodation Tax (TAT) dedicated to rail is exactly what the countyneeds now to continue this project We recommend that the Honolulu City Council consider allocatinga percentage of the Countyrsquos TAT to the Honolulu Rail Project
We appreciate the Honolulu City Council taking up this bill We look forward to Bill 40 progressingthrough the legislative process and we look forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
Sincerely
Pane Meatoga IllHawaii Operating Engineers Industry Stabilization Fund
pnceuroh pciLccrn
DUHO1IFONjasorsca4 ampuatildeder
HAWAII
October 52021
Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairMembers of the Honolulu City Council
RE Comments on Bill 40 (ldquoBill 40rdquo) Rclating to the Transient Accommodations TaxHearing date Wednesday October 6 2021 at 1000 AM
Aloha Chair Waters Vicc Chair Kiarsquoaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Mahalo for the opportunity to submit testimony on behalf of DR Horton Hawaii LLC(ldquoDR Hortonrdquo) in Support of Bill 40 relating to the transient accommodations tax DR Hortonis one of Hawaiirsquos largest home builders and has been providing affordable housing and first-timebuyer homes for Hawaiirsquos families throughout Oahu for nearly fifty years
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (ldquoCountyTATrdquo) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gross rental proceeds derivedfrom the furnishing of transient accommodations Every transient accommodation broker travelagency and tour packagDr that arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shallpay the County TAT Additionally Bill 40 allocates percentages of the tax revenue generated bythe County TAT into I) the general fund 2) the transit fund established under Chapter 6 Article61 and 3) a special account in the general fund specifically used to mitigate the impacts of visitorson public facilities including the restoration and maintenance of beaches and parks
Prinarily DR Horton supports an allocation of the County TAT to be dedicated tofunding the rail project We favor a fixed allocation of funding that will enable the city to finishand maintain the project in a fiscally responsible way allowing the rail project to be completedwithout raising property taxes or endangering the Countyrsquos bond rating Furthermore funding therail project will restore confidence with the FTA and potentially unlock much needed federalfunding
Additionally the completion of the rail project will directly influence the creation of asignificant inventory of much needed affordable housing Completing the rail project willincentivize transit oriented development around the downtown and Ala Moana rail stationsprojected to create an additional 11600 housing units Failing to complete the rail project will putus that much further behind the curve in reaching our collective affordable housing goals
Dahu Maui Hawaii Island Kauai
130 Merchant Street Suite 112 Honolulu Hawaii 96813 8085215661
wwwdrhortoncomhawaii
Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairOctober 52021Page 2
Finally completion of the rail has the added benefit of decreasing our dependance onimported oil and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging multi-modal forms oftransportation that are both walkable and bikeable consistent with the Cityrsquos long term planninggoals Further the completion of the rail project will create a much needed connection betweenmaster planned communities in Ewa and downtown Honolulu enhancing the quality life forfamilies living in West Oahu
In summary DR Horton supports Bill 40 and the proposed allocations Mahalo for yourtime and consideration It is very much appreciated Should you have any questions please donot hesitate to contact me at 808-782-4109 or ttonakicdrhortoneom
Sincerely
9KTracy TonakiSenior Vice President
Evan Quoeoueirnanaka-asatoeom
1065 Ahua StreetHonolulu H 96819Phone 808-833-1681 FAX 839-4167Email jfbullfccedileaIigcaQia (iINERAI (lsquo()NrIAuIORS ASSOCIATION OF I IAWAIIWebsite wwwgcahawoiiore
Quality People Quality Projects
October 162021
Councilman Tommy Waters ChairMembers of the City CouncilCity amp County of the Honolulu CityHonolulu HI 96813
Re Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the City Council
The General Contractors Association of Hawaii (GCA) is an organization comprised ofapproximately five hundred (500) general contractors subcontractors and construction relatedfirms The GCA was established in 1932 and is the largest construction association in the Stateof Hawaii Our mission is to elevate Hawaiirsquos construction industry and strengthen thefoundation of our community
GCA is in STRONG SUPPORT of Bill 40 which establishes a transient accommodations taxfor the City and County of Honolulu
Of this amount we respectfully request that a portion be set aside for the completion of theI lonolulu rail project This new revenue source a tourist tax comes from our visitors rather thanour residents both of whom will use and ridc a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utilityrelocation also continues A dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of asystem that will transform Oahu Westsidc families will have the option to ride the rail to workand school rather than spending an hour-4- in traffic
Further transit-oriented developments include affordable units along the route This will helpaddress our housing shortage asll600 housing units along the downtown and Ala Moana railstations will be completed as a result of the TOD planning This creates multi-modals form oftransportation that allow for walkable bikeable communities and safe streets for families
Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony in support of Bill 40
Ryan Sakuda
ryan(gcahawaiiorg
-4rsquo
a4714rdquo t014 5n
Testimony by Harry SaundersPresident Castle amp Cooke Hawairsquoi
October 5 2021
City and County of Honolulu City CouncilRegarding
BILL 40 (2021)RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS TAX
SUPPORT WITH COMMENTS
Chair amp Presiding Officer Tommy Waters Vice Chair Esther Kiarsquoaumlina and Members of the City Council
I am Harry Saunders Presidcnt of Castle amp Cookc Hawairsquoi Thank you for the opportunity to submittcstimony regarding Bill 40 (2021)
Castic amp Cooke Hawairsquoi supports the intent of Bill 40 that will dedicate a portion of the transientaccommodations tax into a transportation fund It is critical that this bill have a fixed percentage of thetransient accommodations tax dedicated towards the funding of the rail so the city can finish the projectin a fiscally responsible way without raising property taxes and endangering our cityrsquos bond rating
Allocating a fixed percentage of the transient accommodations tax to fund the rail transit project will havelong temi benefits to visitors and kamarsquoaina alike
Rail will provide multi-modal opportunities giving residents transportation options It will help reducethe dependence on vehicles and its requisite imported oils with overall benefits to the health of ourenvironment Rail will reduce commute times for residents living in outlying communities The timethey gain back will enhance their quality of life
It also provides housing and redevelopment opportunities to communities With this redevelopmentcomes affordable housing Affordable housing planned in Transit Oriented Development for thedowntown and Ala Moana rail stations is a combined 11600 housing units
Allocating a fixed percentage of the TAT funding to Rail will pay for the ongoing operations andmaintenance of the system after construction has been completed again without the need to raiseproperty taxes
Mahalo for your consideration of my testimony Should you have any questions please feel free tocontact us
Harry Saunders Garret MatsunamiPresident Vice President Residential OperationsCastle amp Cooke Hawairsquoi Castle amp Cooke Hawairsquoifsakai(i2eastlecookeeom gmatsunamicastlecookecomPhone 548-4884 Phone 626-3625llcQmacastIecookecom
680 Iwilei Road Box 510 Honolulu Hawaii 96817Phone (808) 548-4811 Fax (808) 548-6690
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 110 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mufi HannemannPhoneEmail mhannemanncopyhawaBlodgingorgMeeting Date 10-06-2021CouncilPH
CouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40Your position
Commenton the matter
Representing Organization
Organization Hawairsquoi Lodging amp Tourism AssociationTestimony ofMufi HannemannPresident amp CEOHawaii Lodging amp Tourism Association
Honolulu City CouncilBill 40 (2021)October 6 2021
Chair Waters and members of the Honolulu City Council mahalo forthe opportunity to submit testimony on behalf of the Hawaii Lodging ampTourism Association the statersquos largest private sector visitor industryorganization
WrittenTestimony The Hawaii Lodging amp Tourism Associationmdashnearly 700 members
strong representing more than 50000 hotel rooms and nearly 40000lodging workersmdashstrongly opposed the passage of House Bill 862which among myriad other issues stripped the State TransientAccommodations Tax (TAT) allocation to the counties and allowed forup to an additional three percent surcharge to be levied on lodgingproperties The surcharge proposed by this measure represents a 29increase to the TAT that comes at a highly inopportune time for anindustry that has been drastically affected by the pandemic and travelrestrictions However with the veto override by the Legislature andthe ultimate passage of HB 862 we recognize the financial position inwhich the City amp County of Honolulu finds itself and the need todeliberate on the introduced bill As the latest version of Bill 40 (2020)does not stipulate the percentages by which the collected tax monies
will be divided between the general fund transit fund and theunnamed visitor impact fund we would like to provide comments onthe proposed measure at this time
As the vast majority of monies raised by the TATmdashand the new threepercent surchargemdashwill undoubtedly come from the pockets of visitorsit is our position that the lionrsquos share of these funds should be utilizedto address tourism related needs and the impacts created by travelersto Hawaii The opportunities in this regard are seemingly endless andcould include more routine county tasks such as road refinishing andupdates to our infrastructure but should also be used on projects moredirectly associated with tourism impacts like trail management beachand park maintenance additional support for first responders and theprovision of adequate public safety staffing at beaches and other Cityinstallations
We are all aware of the discussions currently happening in thecommunity that focus upon tourism its impact on our naturalresources and communities and the significant role it plays in oureconomy Anti-tourism sentiments are at an all-time high and both thetourism industry and the community are working to strike a finebalance that suits both residents and visitors to our home Relegatinga significant portion of funds generated by the surcharge to the tourismimpact fund would ensure that the City is appropriately addressing thevarious issues surrounding tourism with visitor dollars and would maketransparency in the process that much more likely The HawaiiTourism Authorityrsquos Destination Management Action Plan processmdashwhich aims to better manage tourism for our entire statemdashhas beencompleted for Oahu and this would be an ideal jumping off point tobegin discussion of how surcharge funds are utilized for some of theirpriorities Finally we would also like to better understand who willoversee the special tourism impact fund and ensure that said funds willbe used for their intended purposes through a transparent process
We look forward to a robust public discourse on this measure andthank you for the opportunity to provide these comments
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
Mobi[e 8084288717
c EmaH indascFarzschtzcoIlabortvecoin- lsquo- 5chatzcohaboratvecomcollaborative
October 5 2021
Via email to Honolulu City Council
SUBJECT Bill 40(2021) mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations TaxCouncil Meeting October 6 2021 1000am
Dear Council Members
I am submitting written testimony to offer comments to Bill 40
This bill must have a fixed percentage of the TAT dedicated to funding the rail to avoidraising property taxes or jeopardizing our bond rating
Irsquove been a housing advocate and developer for the last 20 years and have supported effortsto create multi-modal neighborhoods in the primary urban core If a fixed percentage of atleast half of the TAT to the county goes to rail construction operations and rail focusedactivities such as TOD it will help create ripe conditions for housing redevelopment andwalkable communities Rail is also a catalyst to begin the efforts to bring back sociallyequitable planning efforts to disadvantaged neighborhoods on Dahu Without a dedicatedsource of funding we lose so much more in terms of equitable opportunities for Oahursquoscommunity and future generations
Thank you again for the opportunity to submit this testimony If there are any questions or ifadditional information is needed please do not hesitate to contact me at (808)428-8717
Warmest Regards
Linda Schatz
Principal
HAWAII REGIONAL COUNCIL OF
CARPENTERS
October 6 2021
City Council
City amp County of Honolulu
Councilmember Tommy Waters Chair
Councilmember Esther Kiarsquoatildeina Vice Chair
Statement of the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters mdash SUPPORT for Bill 40 (2021)mdashRelating to thetransient accommodations tax
Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiarsquoatildeina and Members of the Council
The Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters would like to offer their support for Bill 40 relating to thetransient accommodations tax
Specifically this bill must contain a fixed percentage of the TAT that is dedicated to funding for rail sothe city can finish the project in fiscally responsible way without the need to raise property taxes
Dedicating a percentage of the TAT will also pay for the ongoing operations and maintenance of thesystem after construction has been completed again without the need to raise property taxes
Modernizing our infrastructure is important piece of the Biden administrationrsquos plan to ldquoBuild BackBetterrdquo Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will restore confidence with the FTA andcould potentially unlock additional federal funding opportunities
The downtown and Ala Moana rail stations will have a combined 11600 housing units as a result of theTransit Orientated Development planning and without a completed Rail project TOD and our affordablehousing goals cannot be met
Mass transit will decrease our dependance on imported oil reduce our greenhouse gas emissions andallow for the creation of walkable bikeable communities and safe streets for families
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has studied the impact of public transportation systems and rail isassociated with reductions in several health risk factors such as motor vehicle crashes air pollution andphysical inactivity
STATE HEADQUARTERS amp BUSINESS OFFICESOAIIU 1311 Hoiighiailirig SEreetHonnlulu Hawaii 96S17rsquo2711 bull Ph (808) 847-5761 Fax (808) 440-9188
111W OFFICE 525 Kilauca Avenue Room 205 Fur Hawaii 967203050 bull Ph (808) 935-8575 lOx (808) 935-8576KONA OFFICE 75-126 Lunapule RoadKajlua-Kona Hawaii 96740-2106 bull Ph (808) 329-7355 Fax (808) 326-9376
MAUI OFFICE 330 Hookahi StreetWailuku Maui 96793-1449 bull Ph (808) 2426891 Fax (808) 242-5961IA[JAI OFFICE KuIjo Medical CEr Bldg3-3295 Kuhio HwySuiteZOiLihue Kauai 96766-1040 Ph(SO8) 245-8511 Fax (808) 245-8911
A completed rail system will afford greater transportation options for Honolulu especially for seniors
and those who cannot afford the high costs of owning a vehicle
And it will enhance the quality life for leeward families who spend hours in traffic each day
Mahalo for your consideration
Nathaniel KinneynRinncyhrcc-bwflccm
MOVEOAHUFORWARD
October 6 2021
Chairman Tommy Waters and members of the Honolulu City Council
Aloha my name is Jennifer Sabas and I serve as the Executive Director of Move Oahu Forward a nonprofit organization supporting the Honolulu rail project as an integral part of a robust publictransportation system on Oahu I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish atransient accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of this amount I wouldrespectfully request that a portion be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project Thisnew revenue source a tourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both of whosewill ride the finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utility relocationalso continues Work either out to bid or ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficultsection of Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and a dedicated localrevenue source will allow for the completion of a system that will transform Oahu - Westside familieswill have the option to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending an hour+ in trafficTransit-oriented developments to include affordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances for many Oahu families
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support and look forward to a rigorousdebate and discussion in the months ahead
Aloha
Jennifer SabasExecutive DirectorMove Oahu ForwardP0 Box 1329Honolulu HI 96807
jennifermoveoahuforwardorg
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 353 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Nelisa Asato
Phone
Email nasatomatsoncomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee CouncilAgenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter SupportRepresenting Organization
Organization Matson Navigation Company IncWritten Testimony
Testimony AttachmentAccept Terms and Agreement 1
IP 19216820067
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 419 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Denise Boisvert
Phone
Email infofordeniseyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
YES I FULLY SUPPORT Bill 40 proposed by ChairWaters
Written Testimony All the requirements in the proposed bill are EXCELLENT
Mahalo to all for your kind consideration to more this billforward
Testimony Attachment
AcceptTerms and1
Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 418 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mary Kate Duggan
Phone
Email marykateelizabethduggangmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Resolution 21-234
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
Written Testimony
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and Agreement 1
lP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 423 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Kim Jorgensen
Phone
Email hawaiicondoyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on thematter
Support
Representing SelfOrganization
Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony on Bill 40 IWritten Testimonyfully SUPPORT it
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and1Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
HAwAII STATE AFL-CIO888 Mililani Street Suite 501 bull Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Randy Perreira Telephone (808)597-1441President Fax (808) 593-2149
City CouncilCity and County of Honolulu
Testimony byHawairsquoi State AFL-CIO
October 6 2021
Testimony in SUPPORT of Bill 40 Relating tothe Transient Accommodations Tax
The Hawairsquoi State AFL-CIO is a state federation of 74 affiliate local unions and councils with over68000 members across both public and private sectors We appreciate the opportunity to testify insupport of Bill 40
Of all counties in the state swift measures must be taken to mitigate the negative impact overtourismhas on Honolulursquos infrastructure Traffic congestion in Honolulu is exacerbated by the visitorindustry Establishing a three percent transient accommodations tax is key to generating the revenueneeded to invest in Orsquoahursquos public transportation system The Honolulu Rail Transit Project is apublic good that will benefit 0rsquo ahu workers residents and visitors alike by providing a publictransportation option that complements The Bus and further relieves traffic congestion where it ismost needed
We appreciate your consideration of our testimony in support of Bill 40 and strongly urge you to passthis bill
ectfullysnitted
Randy PerreiraPresident
Dion DizonQfbwtcio org
HAWAII APPLESEEDCENTER FOR LAW amp ECONOMIC JUSTTCE
Testimony of the Hawairsquoi Appleseed Center for Law and Economic JusticeSUPPORT mdash Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
City and County of HonoluluWednesday October 6 2021 10AM
Aloha Chair Waters and Councilmembers
We at Hawaii Appleseed strongly support Bill 40 and efforts to use TAT funds to complete therail project as it will dramatically increase the housing stock in TOD areas and create efficientand equitable access to transit To support the affordable housing that Oahu desperately needswe must finish the rail and provide the subsidies needed to ensure that housing is prioritized forlocal residents and stays affordable over the long-term
In addition we urge the council to provide that a fixed percentage of the TAT be allocatedto rail funding so the project can be completed in a fiscally responsible way with a securefunding stream Ideally all of the necessary funds for completion and ongoing maintenance cancome from this dedicated funding which is paid for by visitors to Oahu
Finishing the rail will enable thousands of homes to be built along the rail corridor Withappropriate affordability restrictions and public support these homes can address the severeshortage of affordable housing here on Oahu A recent 2020 study prepared by PBR Hawaii forthe Hawaii Office of Planning estimates the addition of 50900 residential units around the EastKapolei Stadium and lwilei TOD areas alone1rsquo Although these homes will be built in phasesover the next 40 years it is clear that development around rail can substantially contribute to oursupply of affordable housing According to the 2019 Hawaii Housing Planning Study Oahu willneed an additional 22168 residential units by 2025 with half of the need for households withcombined incomes of $75000 or less
Rail is needed to alleviate traffic and provide walkable neighborhoodsAs Oahu plans for the future we should be focused on housing constructed in walkable urbanneighborhoods with easy access to amenities parks and transit To support the smartaffordable and sustainable growth that is needed we should be building around rail-but first wemust complete the rail Access to rail offers an alternative to driving is likely to reduce traffic for
1 July 2020 State Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning and Implementation Project for theisland of Dahu by PBR Hawaii for the Hawaii State Office of Planning Attachment C
communities along the Leeward Coast and wHI create a more equitable way to access theurban core of Honolulu
We strongly urge the council to pass Bill 40 and to continue to work towards creating acomprehensive affordable housing strategy for the residents of Oahu Completing the rail is vitalto enable housing construction but it will take further efforts to ensure that a majority of housingis reserved for local residents and stays affordable over time
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify
Kenna Stormogipsonkennahibudgetorg
October 5 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer And Council Members
Honolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accomodation Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members
I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transient accommodations tax forthe City and County of Honolulu In addition I respectfully request a portion of this generatedtax to be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project We all realize the pastchallenges of the rail project but now have a great opportunity to position HART for a successfulcompletion of the Rail system
With the new leadership at HART I am more confident than ever that we have the managementindustry tmst transparency technical expertise and action plan required to move this projectahead This dedicated funding source which will be shouldered by our tourist will allowconstruction to continue toward a successful completion for ALL of us This will also spurTransit Oriented Deveiopment around the system to help create housing and businessopportunities in our communities
Thank you for this opportunity to submit my support for Bill 40 and to generate an additionalrevenue source for HART
Respectfully
Dexter Kubota PEVice President
dkubota bowersandkubotacom
a a aareg
aqJrsquoJ1001 Bishop Street I Suite 625 I Honolulu HI 96213-28301-866-295-7282 I Fax 808-536-2882
bull aarporghi I aarphiaarporg I twittercomAARPHawaiI
H auva i I
Honolulu City CouncilOctober 6 2021 1000 am
TO The Honorable Tommy Waters ChairpersonRE Bill 40mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the Committee
My name is Kealirsquoi Lopez and I am the State Director for AARP Hawairsquoi AARP is a membershiporganization of people age fifty and over with nearly 145000 members in HawaiiAARP Hawaii supports Bill 40 which seeks to establish transient accommodations tax (TAT) forthe City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and facilitate thereceipt and deposit of the revenue derived
We respectfully wish to add our comment and support for a dedicated percentage of the TATthat will support the mass transit project Having an ongoing dedicated source of funding willhelp pay for mass transit project the ongoing operations and maintenance of the system afterconstruction has been completed and without the need to raise property taxes
AARP has been a strong proponent of an age-friendly community that includesbull Multi-modal forms of transportation for people of all ages Rail affords another
transportation option for Honolulu especially for seniors and those who cannot affordthe high costs of owning a vehicle
bull Transit Orient Developments (TaD) with affordable housings built within walking andbiking distance of major rail stations
Bill 40 provides an opportunity for the City to modernize and complete our transportationinfrastructure Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will help restore confidencewith the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) and could potentially unlock additionalfederal funding opportunities and other public sources to finish the project Thank you for theopportunity to testify in support of Bill 40
Sincerely
lsquos--rsquo hr
Kealirsquoi Lopez State Director
klopezaarporg
BIABUILDING INDUSTRY
A S SOC AT ION ana
TESTIMONY TO THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCILHONOLULU HALE
COUNCIL CHAMBERSOctober 6 2021
900 AM
Honorable Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Council
RE Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
My name is Daryl Takamiya Chair of the Government Relations Committee of the BuildingIndustry Association of Hawaii (BIA-HawaN) Chartered in 1955 the Building IndustryAssociation of Hawaii is a professional trade organization affiliated with the National Associationof Home Builders representing the building industry and its associates BIA-HawaH takes aleadership role in unifying and promoting the interests of the industry to enhance the quality oflife for the people of Hawah Our members build the communities we all call home
BIA-Hawaii is in support of Bill 40 which would establish a transient accommodations tax for theCity and County of Honolulu specifically the portion of the bill that would provide for a depositinto the established transit fund
BIA-Hawaii continues to support the transit system on the island of Oahu because it willincrease the availability of housing as transit-oriented development communities are built Thelack of affordable housing and other quality of life issues continue to plague our communitiesImproving transportation will only help to alleviate these issues and without a completed railproject affordable housing goals will not be met Bill 40 will be an important component toensure that the transit system is brought to successful completion
We appreciate the opportunity to express our views on Sill 40
Stefanie Y Sakamotostefsakamotoconsultingcom
tamp 006-629-7501 94-487 Akoki St Ste 213 wwwbiahawakorg
fax 808-629-7701 Waipahu HI 9679 infobiahawaiiorg
From CLK Council Into
Sent Tuesday October 5 2021 657 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Stanford Masui
Phone
Email standamanniasuigmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-202 1
CouncilPHBudgetCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40
YOLIE positionOppose
on the matter
Representing Organization
Organization RAILSOS (Study Other Solutions)
Chairman Waters and members of the councilOur organization opposes this bill as written1 It assumes that a portion of the TAT will be set aside for a transit fund for the rail Thisassumption should not he made without a vigorous discussion as whether funds should hesiphoned off for a project that is no longer financially viable To put it bluntly why ldquothrowgood money after badrdquo
2 The rail is at an inflection point as to whether it should he constructed beyond its currentendpoint at Middle St or further intensive study as to viable alternatives rather thancontinuing on to Ala Moana at a prohibitive cost Past VIA administrators have urged the cityto consider modification of its plans a clear signal that additional funding may not beforthcoming
Wutten3 Transit Oriented Development is a myth Most of the buildina of condos in the KapiolaniTestimony -corridor were planned without any consideration of the rail route This is amply demonstratedby the fact that while HART struggles to come up with a funding plan and completion to AlaMoana is questionable developers are proceeding to build The numbers and actual cost ofaffordable housing in these condos are still too expensive for most people to afford Only onemajor project currently is in Ewa and that was planned years before the rail was developed
4 There are urgent issues that require immediate and priority funding homelessness and themental health system police fire and emergency services funding road and highwayimprovement and cleanup and improvement of tourist recreational areas such as parks andbeaches
5 Rather than triggering economic growth the public will be saddled with enormous debt bythe borrowed funding and operational expense estimated variously at present at $120- $150
million per year Electricity costs will cause operational expense to double This project couldbankrupt the city
6 HART should develop a funding or recovery plan before it comes to the council for aportion of TAT revenues
7 The final Environmental Impact Statement indicates only a minimal effect in alleviatingtraffic congestion which is the major argument in favor of funding the rail- The motoringpublic will not see any improvement in driving times and the studies were made years agoand are no longer reliable
The Council is urged to delete any provision that funds the rail in favor of funding otherurgent prioritiesThank you for your consideration
Te stin]on yAttachment
Accept TermsI
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 730 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Leslie M Inouye
Phone
Email Iinouyel4gmai1com
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHBuddeget
Committee
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position onOppose
the matter
Representing Self
Organization
Chairman Waters and City Council I and many others who have only recently becomeaware of Bill 40 must oppose the the use of the TAT to help fund rail It seems there are any
Writtennumber of backdoor plans to find the funds for rail despite the ongoing litany of items thateither have no clear fix andor no specific bottom line At some point you must realize thatTestimony
the rail is not a sustainable to use the popular contemporary term project and to continuepursuing this immense burden portends financial ruin for all of us Please let common senserule your decisions
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IF 19216820067
1
1 PETER A GANABANbull Business Manager
ampcretarj- Treasure
ALFONSO OlIVERPesident
JOBY NORTh IIlice President
TONI FIG(ERO4Recording Secretary
JAMES DRLrsquoMGOLD JRExecutiye Bd
ORLANDO PAESTEExecutive Board
JOSFIrsquoK jAWEsecutiw Board
ESTIIERAILA4udaor
RUSSELl NAPIIIA-4Auditor
SI lsquoIRK TRAVALINO4uJior
MAITINARAN4YDOamprgearn-dt-Arms
LIUNA Local 3681617 Palarna StreetHonolulu HI 96817
Phone (808) 841-5877Fax (808)847-7829
wiwIocaI368org
LiUNA
TESTIMONY OF THE HAWAII LABORERSrsquo UNION LOCAL 358
Honolulu City CouncilCouncil Meeting
Wednesday October 6 20211000 AM
RE Bill 40(2021) mdash RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATION TAX(TAT)
Chair Waters Vice-chair Kiarsquoaina and Council Members
The Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 and its 5000 working and retired men andwomen across the state of Hawaii stand in strong support of Bill 40(2021) whichestablishes a transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) for the City and Countyof Honolulu
The TAT funding proposed in Bill 40 would allow the City and County of Honoluluto maintain and preserve our island while mitigating the impacts of our naturalresources while also building new and existing infrastructure - including theHonolulu Rail Project This proposed measure would help generate much neededrevenue while having our island visitors help in sharing the cost
Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 respectfully requests that the council takefavorable action on this measure and support Bill 40
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony
Shingayi MasiyaGovernment Relations Director
Feel the Power
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 754 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Paul Yonamine
PhoneEmail paulyonaminecpbbank
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncil
Committee
Agenda Item Testimony and Support for Bill 40Your position
Supporton the mailer
Representing Self
Organization
Testimony and Support for Bill 40
I am Paul Yonamine Executive Chairman of Central Pacific Bank andI am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transientaccommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of thisamount I would respectfully request that a portion be set aside for thecompletion of the Honolulu rail project This new revenue source atourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both ofwhom will use and ride a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steadypace Work on utility relocation also continues Work either out to bidor ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficult section of
Written Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and aTestimony dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of a
system that wilt transform Oahu - Westside families will have theoption to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending anhourdivide in traffic Transit-oriented developments (TOD) to includeaffordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances
Rail and TOD represents the single most important economic driverfor the City and County of Honolulu and the state of Hawaii It alsopresents an invaluable opportunity for more affordable housingdevelopment for generations to come Donrsquot stop and impedeprogress of rail because of past project mismanagement We shouldmake sure the project is fully funded and that capable projectmanagers are hired positioned and empowered to complete thisproject
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support andlook forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 824 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Michael KamakaPhone
Email mkamakabowersandkubotacomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40 - Transient Accommodations TaxYour position
Supporton the matterRepresenting SelfOrganization
October 6 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer and Council MembersHonolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Sill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodation TaxDear Chair Waters and MembersPlease accept this written testimony of my support of Bill 40 toestablish a transient accommodations tax for the City and County ofHonolulu Under Sill 40
Written I believe a transient accommodations tax collects the fair and equitableTestimony amount from visitors who enjoy our City and County of Honolulu today
and in the future The tax will provide funding to mitigate impacts ofvisitors by providing money to support the restoration and maintenanceof public facilitiesAs part of the mitigation to the impacts of visitors I respectfully requesta portion of this transient accommodations tax be set aside to supportthe completion of the Honolulu rail project A rail system will helpmitigate the impacts by visitors in the Honolulu area by providing acleaner alternative of transportation thereby minimizing pollutantscaused by vehicle traffic and congestionAlthough there has been fiscal schedule and constructabilitychallenges there is a renewed hope and optimism for the completionof the rail system A renewable source of funding is the opportunity toposition HART for a successful completion of the rail system With new
1
leadership at HART I am confident HART has the people industrytrust transparency technical expertise and viable action plan neededto move this project ahead Funding through a portion of the transientaccommodation tax will provide a sustainable and dedicated fundingsource to allow construction to continueThank you for allowing me this opportunity to submit my support for Bill40Respectfully
Michael Kamaka PE Principal
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Monday October 4 2021 450 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Joy KimuraPhone
Email jkimurahawaNIecetorgMeeting Date 10-06-2021CouncilPH Committee CouncilAgenda Item Bill 40 (2021)Your position on the matter SupportRepresenting OrganizationOrganization Hawaii LECETWritten Testimony
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and Agreement 1
IP 19216820067
1
HAWAII LABORERS-EMPLOYERS COOPERATION AND EDUCATION TRUST 650 Iwilei Road Suite 285 Honolulu HI 96817 Phone 808-845-3238 Fax 808-845-8300
October 4 2021
HONOLULU CITY COUNCIL City Council Chamber
Honolulu Hawaii 96813 DATE Wednesday October 6 2021
TIME 1000 am
TESTIMONY ON BILL 40 (2021) - RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMODATIONS TAX To Committee Chair Waters Vice Chair Kia`aina and members of the Honolulu City Council Hawaii LECET is a labor-management partnership between the Hawaii Laborersrsquo International Union of North America Local 368 itsrsquo 5000+ members and itsrsquo 250+ unionized contractors The Laborersrsquo International Union of North America is the largest construction union in the United States Mahalo for the opportunity to testify in support of Bill 40 (2021) which seeks to establish a County Transient Accommodations Tax to support restoration of funding which was diverted by the Hawaii State Legislature Bill 40 would also ensure that visitors share in the costs for services provided by the City and County of Honolulu as well as fund efforts to mitigate the impacts on natural resources due to tourism For these reasons Hawaii LECET supports Bill 40 (2021) and asks for your consideration and support With respect Hawaii Laborers-Employers Cooperation amp Education Trust
TO Members of the Honolulu City Council
FROM Natalie Iwasa CPA CFE808-395-3233
DATE Wednesday October 6 2021
SUBJECT Bill 40 Transient Accommodations Tax - OPPOSED
Aloha Chair Waters and Councilmembers
Thank you for allowing testimonyrsquo on Bill 40 which would implement atransient accommodations tax (TAT) at the county level and assign certaincurrently unspecified amounts to the general fund the transit fund (for railconstruction) and a new special fund I oppose this bill for several reasonsand am testifying in my individual capacity
TAT Related to the Transit Fund
No additional funding should go to rail for the following reasons
bull The financial plan has not yet been updated and the recovery planlsquohch will include an updated financia Han isnrsquot due tinti] enrv nextyear
bull There has been no public discussion of the 25+ alternative ideas thatwere discussed by HART staff earlier this year
bull The current shortfall for rail construction has been estimated at gt S3billion If the city provided 5100 millionyear from the TAT for railconstruction it would take 30 years to pay off the current shortfallexcluding additional financing costs
bull HART still has no internal audit function and the Internal AuditCommittee of the HART board that was recently added to the approvedboard rules is on hold
bull There is no tip hotline or fraud policy
It would be irresponsible for crnmcilmembers to approve any additionalfunding for rail construction until these matters are taken care of
Natalie IwasaBill 40 TATPage 2
Special Fund
According to Chapter 6 of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu we alreadyhave 50 special or revolving funds Please clean up what is already there beforeadding any new funds
Administration
Sec 8A-19 Rent collection by third party includes a requirement that a copy ofthe first page of the rental agreement or IRS Form 1099 and certain otherdocuments must be filed with the city Renta agreements may include privatepersonal information about tenants I therefore oppose the requirement toprovide this information to the city
In addition the Form 1099 may include a landlordrsquos social security number Ioppose the requirement to provide this to the city These requirements go toofar in an attempt to enforce a county TAT
Sec 8A-1 13(a) (1) Application of tax indicates that any rental for less than 180consecutive days is presumed to be for a transient purpose This presumptiondoes not take into consideration the fact that locals may need to rent for lesstHu 180 days for various reasons I therefore oppose this sectinn
MARRIOTTVACATIONS
WORLDWIDESM
October 5 2021
TO Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairMembers of the Honolulu City Council
FR Denis Ebrill Marriott Vacations Worldwide CorporationRE Comments on Bill 40 Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
Aloha Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiarsquoaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Thank you for allowing me to submit testimony on behalf of Marriott Vacations WorldwideCorporation (ldquoMVWCrdquo) providing Comments and Amendments to Bill 40 establishing atransient accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu MVVC is a global leader inthe timeshare industry with ten resort properties in Hawaii Timeshare resorts are an important andstabilizing part of the tourism industry and resort development provides thousands of constructionjobs in Hawaii per year
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (ldquoCountyTATrdquo) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gross rental proceeds derivedfrom the furnishing of transient accommodations Every transient accommodation broker travelagency and tour packager that arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shallpay the County TAT Further every time share vacation plan must be represented by a planmanager Pursuant to Section 7 the new Count TAT is considered Levied on the effective date ofBill 40
MVWC understands the Countyrsquos intentions in establishing the County TAT however wehave concerns with the implementation of the additional 3 percent increase Implementing theCounty 1rsquoAT upon approval puts hotel operators at a disadvantage Essentially this would meanthat the Count TAT would be retroactively applicable to reservations made on the effective dateeven though the bill has not been signed by the Mayor Furthermore hotel operators will notbe able to 1) disclose the new tax to guests in advance and 2) adjust booking systems and rentalagreements to collect the new tax from guests after the County TAT has been officially establishedAdditionally timeshare resorts will need to update their Hawaii disclosure statements and file withthe Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (ldquoDCCArdquo)
Accordingly MVWC respectfully requests the County TAT not be levied until at aminimum not earlier than 30 days after Bill 40rsquos approval to allow 1) appropriate notice to begiven to travel partners that the law has been signed 2) booking systems to be updated with thenew County TAT and 3) rental agreements to be modified with the new requiredlanguage Furthermore an additional 30 days provides resorts an adequate amount of time toprovide proper notice to guests update disclosure statements with DCCA and coordinate withthird party booking platforms to accommodate new tax
9002 San Marco Court Orlando Florida 32819 T 407-206-6000 F 407-206-6420 cornProud supporter of Childrenrsquos Miracle Network Hospitals
Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairOctober 52021Page 2
Moreover an additional 30 days after signing would be consistent with the timeframe ofprevious increases in TAT at the state level and recent implementation in other counties Typicallywhen the TAT was increased at the state level in the past the legislation would allow for severalmonths to enable the hotel industry to adjust internal booking systems to properly disclose andcharge for the increased rate Further Maui County recently passed their own county TAT with alevied date of November 12021 which will be approximately 30 days after it is signed into lawMaui County found the additional time to be a fair comprise to allow the hotel industry to accountfor the County TAT
Based upon the foregoing MVWC recommends the following amendments to Bill 40
1 Amend Section 7 to state ldquoThis ordinance takes effect upon its approval The transientaccommodations tax established by this ordinance is considered levied 30 days afterapprovalrdquo
Mahalo for your consideration of these amendments
Aloha
Dcnis EbrillSenior Vice PresidentMarriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation
Evan Cueqvimanaka-asatocpm
AQU AbullbullA S TO NH OS P I TA LIT V
October 52021
TO Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice ChairMembers of the Honolulu City Council
FR Aqua-Aston Hospitality
RE Comments on Bill 40 Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
Aloha Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiarsquoaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Thank you for allowing Aqua-Aston Hospitality LLC (ldquoAqua-Astonrdquo) to provideComments and Amendments to Bill 40 establishing a transient accommodations tax for the Cityand County of Honolulu Aqua-Aston has engaged in hotel and resort management in the state ofHawaii for over 75 years
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (ldquoCountyTATrdquo) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gloss rental proceeds derivedfrom the iltraishing of transient accommodations Ever transient accommodation broker travelagency and tour packager tat arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shallpay the County TAT Pursuant to Section 7 the new County TAT is considered levied on theeffective date of Bill 40
AquamdashAston understands the Countyrsquos intentions in establishing the County TAT inresponse to Act I Special Session Laws of Hawairsquo i which stripped the County of allocated StateTransient Accommodations Tax Nevertheless we have concerns with the implementation ofthe additional 3 percent increase Having the County TAT levied upon approval puts hoteloperators at a disadvantage Hotel operators 1) will not be able to disclose the County TAT toguests who have already booked in advance of or on the effective date nor 2) sufficient time toadjust booking systems and rental agreements to enable them to collect the County TAT on theeffective date Similarly the County TAT would be retroactively applicable to reservations madeon the effective date even though the bill has not yet been signed by the Mayor
Aqua-Aston respectfully requests the County TAT be levied until at a minimum notearlier than 30 days after Bill 40rsquos approval to allow I) appropriate notice to be given to travelpartners 2) booking engines to be updated with the new County TAT and 3) rentalagreements to be modified with the new required language Furthermore an additional 30 daysprovides resorts an adequate amount of time to provide proper notice to guests and coordinate withthird party booking platforms to accommodate the Count)rsquo TAT
Office 820 MilHani St Ste 600 Honolulu HI 96813 T 803-931-1400MaiHrig Address 6649 Westwood Blvd Orlando FL 32821
Moreover an additional 30 days after signing would be consistent with the timeframe ofprevious increases in TAT at the state level and recent implementation in other counties Typicallywhen the TAT was increased at the state level in the past the legislation would allow for severalmonths to enable the hotel industry to adjust internal booking systems to properly disclose andcharge for the increased rate Further Maui County recently passed their own county TAT with alevied date of November 1 202L which will be approximately 30 days after it is signed into lawMaui County found the additional time to be a fair compromise to allow the hotel industry toaccount for the County TAT
Accordingly Aqua-Aston recommends the following amendment to Bill 40
1 Amend Section 7 to state ldquoThis ordinance takes effect upon its approval The transientaccommodations tax established by this ordinance is considered levied 30 days afterapprovalrdquo
Mahalo for your consideration of these amendments
Respectfully submitted
Denis EbrillAqua Aston Hospitality LLC Managing Director
Evan Dueeouecjmanaka-asatocorn
Office 820 Mililani St Ste 600 Honolulu HI 96813 1808-931-1400Mailing Address 6649 Westwood Blvd Orlando FL 32821
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 1047 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Evan CuePhone
Email eoueimanaka-asatocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40Your position on the
Commentmatter
Representing Organization
Organization ARDA Hawaii
Please find attached ARDA Hawaiirsquos Testimony providingWritten Testimonycomments on Bill 40
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and1Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
1
October 5 2021
TO Councilmember Tommy Waters Chair
Councilmember Esther Kiaaina Vice- Chair
Members of the Honolulu City Council
FR AMERICAN RESORT DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION ndash HAWAII (ARDA Hawaii)
RE Comments on Bill 40 (Bill 40) RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT
ACCOMMODATIONS TAX (ESTABLISHING A TRANSIENT
ACCOMMODATIONS TAX FOR THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU
PROVIDE FOR ITS IMPOSITION AND DISPOSITION AND FACILITATE THE
RECEIPT AND DEPOSIT OF THE REVENUES DERIVED FROM THE TRANSIENT
ACCOMMODATIONS TAX)
Aloha Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Thank you for allowing ARDA Hawaii to submit testimony providing Comments and
Amendments to Bill 40 establishing a transient accommodations tax for the City and County of
Honolulu ARDA Hawaii is the local chapter of the trade association for the timeshare industry
Timeshare is an important and stabilizing part of the tourism industry and Honolulus economy
Timeshare owners have made a long-term commitment to Honolulu by purchasing and owning
real property in the County These owners are consistent and dependable visitors who bring
substantial tax dollars and continue to come even during periods of economic downturn
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (County
TAT) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gross rental proceeds derived
from the furnishing of transient accommodations Every transient accommodation broker travel
agency and tour packager that arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shall
pay the County TAT Further every time share vacation plan must be represented by a plan
manager Pursuant to Section 7 the new County TAT is considered levied on the effective date of
Bill 40
ARDA Hawaii understands the need for the County to establish the County TAT
however we have concerns with the timing of the application of the additional 3 percent
increase Having the County TAT levied upon approval puts hotel operators at a disadvantage
Essentially this would mean that the County TAT would be retroactively applicable to
2
reservations made on the effective date even though the bill has not been signed by the Mayor
Furthermore hotel operators will not be able to 1) disclose the new tax to guests in advance and
2) adjust booking systems and rental agreements to collect the new tax from guests after the
County TAT has been officially established In turn operators will need to pay for the County
TAT themselves for reservations on the effective date
Moreover timeshare resorts will need to update their Hawaii disclosure statements and
file with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) This is often a time-
consuming process requiring approval from the DCCA Having Bill 40 be levied upon approval
will lead to inadequate disclosure to customers Imposing the County TAT in this manner will
make it impossible for developers and operators to provide full and fair disclosure to buyers
owners and other occupants
Accordingly ARDA Hawaii respectfully requests the County TAT be levied at a
minimum not earlier than 30 days after Bill 40s approval to allow 1) appropriate notice to be
given to travel partners that the law has been signed 2) hotel operators to charge for the
County TAT that is officially passed 3) booking engines to be updated with the new County
TAT and 4) rental agreements to be modified with the new required language Further the any
additional time will provide developers and timeshare operators time to update disclosure
statements with DCCA and provide consumers with full and fair disclosure
Specifically ARDA Hawaii recommends the following amendment to Bill 40
1 Amend Section 7 to state This ordinance takes effect upon its approval The transient
accommodations tax established by this ordinance is considered levied 30 days after
approval
Mahalo for your consideration of our comments We look forward to working with the
Council on implementing a policy that will enhance the ability of developers and operators to
comply with the new existing laws and requirements that compel fair and full disclosure of the
County TAT to consumers
Respectfully Submitted
Mitchell A Imanaka
Chair
American Resort Development Association of Hawaii
HAWAII OPERATING ENGINEERSINDusTRY STABILIZATION FuND
(ccedilg) 1
lsquoheftzc cqr ltnagth ant orkrn ngctaer(a a Ut
October 5 2021
Honorable Tommy Waters Honolulu City Council ChairHonorable Esther Kiarsquoaacuteina Honolulu City Council Vice ChairHonorable Members of the Honolulu City Council
RE Bill 40(2021) Relating to the transient accommodations tax (Establishing a transient
accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and
facilitate the receipt and deposit of the revenues derived from the transient accommodations tax)
Chair Waters
My name is Pane Meatoga Ill and I am the Community Liaison representing the Hawaii OperatingEngineers Industry Stabilization Fund (HOEISF) We are a labor management fund representing 3000unionized members in heavy engineering site work and 500 general contractors specializing in heavy siteand vertical construction Our organization would like to offer our written testimony in support of Bill40(2021)
Construction of the rait guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utility relocationalso continues Currently construction work has either been bid out or is ready to start the bidingprocess and design work is ongoing for the most difficult section of Dillingham Boulevard We aregetting closer to the finish line and members of Operating Engineers Local 3 and other trade unions arehard at work making this project a reality
We believe a dedicated local revenue source that is not from real property taxes will allow for thecompleUon of a rail system that lsquoArsquoill transform Oahu for the benefit of future generations A fixedpercentage of the Cityrsquos Transient Accommodation Tax (TAT) dedicated to rail is exactly what the countyneeds now to continue this project We recommend that the Honolulu City Council consider allocatinga percentage of the Countyrsquos TAT to the Honolulu Rail Project
We appreciate the Honolulu City Council taking up this bill We look forward to Bill 40 progressingthrough the legislative process and we look forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
Sincerely
Pane Meatoga IllHawaii Operating Engineers Industry Stabilization Fund
pnceuroh pciLccrn
DUHO1IFONjasorsca4 ampuatildeder
HAWAII
October 52021
Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairMembers of the Honolulu City Council
RE Comments on Bill 40 (ldquoBill 40rdquo) Rclating to the Transient Accommodations TaxHearing date Wednesday October 6 2021 at 1000 AM
Aloha Chair Waters Vicc Chair Kiarsquoaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Mahalo for the opportunity to submit testimony on behalf of DR Horton Hawaii LLC(ldquoDR Hortonrdquo) in Support of Bill 40 relating to the transient accommodations tax DR Hortonis one of Hawaiirsquos largest home builders and has been providing affordable housing and first-timebuyer homes for Hawaiirsquos families throughout Oahu for nearly fifty years
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (ldquoCountyTATrdquo) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gross rental proceeds derivedfrom the furnishing of transient accommodations Every transient accommodation broker travelagency and tour packagDr that arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shallpay the County TAT Additionally Bill 40 allocates percentages of the tax revenue generated bythe County TAT into I) the general fund 2) the transit fund established under Chapter 6 Article61 and 3) a special account in the general fund specifically used to mitigate the impacts of visitorson public facilities including the restoration and maintenance of beaches and parks
Prinarily DR Horton supports an allocation of the County TAT to be dedicated tofunding the rail project We favor a fixed allocation of funding that will enable the city to finishand maintain the project in a fiscally responsible way allowing the rail project to be completedwithout raising property taxes or endangering the Countyrsquos bond rating Furthermore funding therail project will restore confidence with the FTA and potentially unlock much needed federalfunding
Additionally the completion of the rail project will directly influence the creation of asignificant inventory of much needed affordable housing Completing the rail project willincentivize transit oriented development around the downtown and Ala Moana rail stationsprojected to create an additional 11600 housing units Failing to complete the rail project will putus that much further behind the curve in reaching our collective affordable housing goals
Dahu Maui Hawaii Island Kauai
130 Merchant Street Suite 112 Honolulu Hawaii 96813 8085215661
wwwdrhortoncomhawaii
Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairOctober 52021Page 2
Finally completion of the rail has the added benefit of decreasing our dependance onimported oil and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging multi-modal forms oftransportation that are both walkable and bikeable consistent with the Cityrsquos long term planninggoals Further the completion of the rail project will create a much needed connection betweenmaster planned communities in Ewa and downtown Honolulu enhancing the quality life forfamilies living in West Oahu
In summary DR Horton supports Bill 40 and the proposed allocations Mahalo for yourtime and consideration It is very much appreciated Should you have any questions please donot hesitate to contact me at 808-782-4109 or ttonakicdrhortoneom
Sincerely
9KTracy TonakiSenior Vice President
Evan Quoeoueirnanaka-asatoeom
1065 Ahua StreetHonolulu H 96819Phone 808-833-1681 FAX 839-4167Email jfbullfccedileaIigcaQia (iINERAI (lsquo()NrIAuIORS ASSOCIATION OF I IAWAIIWebsite wwwgcahawoiiore
Quality People Quality Projects
October 162021
Councilman Tommy Waters ChairMembers of the City CouncilCity amp County of the Honolulu CityHonolulu HI 96813
Re Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the City Council
The General Contractors Association of Hawaii (GCA) is an organization comprised ofapproximately five hundred (500) general contractors subcontractors and construction relatedfirms The GCA was established in 1932 and is the largest construction association in the Stateof Hawaii Our mission is to elevate Hawaiirsquos construction industry and strengthen thefoundation of our community
GCA is in STRONG SUPPORT of Bill 40 which establishes a transient accommodations taxfor the City and County of Honolulu
Of this amount we respectfully request that a portion be set aside for the completion of theI lonolulu rail project This new revenue source a tourist tax comes from our visitors rather thanour residents both of whom will use and ridc a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utilityrelocation also continues A dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of asystem that will transform Oahu Westsidc families will have the option to ride the rail to workand school rather than spending an hour-4- in traffic
Further transit-oriented developments include affordable units along the route This will helpaddress our housing shortage asll600 housing units along the downtown and Ala Moana railstations will be completed as a result of the TOD planning This creates multi-modals form oftransportation that allow for walkable bikeable communities and safe streets for families
Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony in support of Bill 40
Ryan Sakuda
ryan(gcahawaiiorg
-4rsquo
a4714rdquo t014 5n
Testimony by Harry SaundersPresident Castle amp Cooke Hawairsquoi
October 5 2021
City and County of Honolulu City CouncilRegarding
BILL 40 (2021)RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS TAX
SUPPORT WITH COMMENTS
Chair amp Presiding Officer Tommy Waters Vice Chair Esther Kiarsquoaumlina and Members of the City Council
I am Harry Saunders Presidcnt of Castle amp Cookc Hawairsquoi Thank you for the opportunity to submittcstimony regarding Bill 40 (2021)
Castic amp Cooke Hawairsquoi supports the intent of Bill 40 that will dedicate a portion of the transientaccommodations tax into a transportation fund It is critical that this bill have a fixed percentage of thetransient accommodations tax dedicated towards the funding of the rail so the city can finish the projectin a fiscally responsible way without raising property taxes and endangering our cityrsquos bond rating
Allocating a fixed percentage of the transient accommodations tax to fund the rail transit project will havelong temi benefits to visitors and kamarsquoaina alike
Rail will provide multi-modal opportunities giving residents transportation options It will help reducethe dependence on vehicles and its requisite imported oils with overall benefits to the health of ourenvironment Rail will reduce commute times for residents living in outlying communities The timethey gain back will enhance their quality of life
It also provides housing and redevelopment opportunities to communities With this redevelopmentcomes affordable housing Affordable housing planned in Transit Oriented Development for thedowntown and Ala Moana rail stations is a combined 11600 housing units
Allocating a fixed percentage of the TAT funding to Rail will pay for the ongoing operations andmaintenance of the system after construction has been completed again without the need to raiseproperty taxes
Mahalo for your consideration of my testimony Should you have any questions please feel free tocontact us
Harry Saunders Garret MatsunamiPresident Vice President Residential OperationsCastle amp Cooke Hawairsquoi Castle amp Cooke Hawairsquoifsakai(i2eastlecookeeom gmatsunamicastlecookecomPhone 548-4884 Phone 626-3625llcQmacastIecookecom
680 Iwilei Road Box 510 Honolulu Hawaii 96817Phone (808) 548-4811 Fax (808) 548-6690
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 110 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mufi HannemannPhoneEmail mhannemanncopyhawaBlodgingorgMeeting Date 10-06-2021CouncilPH
CouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40Your position
Commenton the matter
Representing Organization
Organization Hawairsquoi Lodging amp Tourism AssociationTestimony ofMufi HannemannPresident amp CEOHawaii Lodging amp Tourism Association
Honolulu City CouncilBill 40 (2021)October 6 2021
Chair Waters and members of the Honolulu City Council mahalo forthe opportunity to submit testimony on behalf of the Hawaii Lodging ampTourism Association the statersquos largest private sector visitor industryorganization
WrittenTestimony The Hawaii Lodging amp Tourism Associationmdashnearly 700 members
strong representing more than 50000 hotel rooms and nearly 40000lodging workersmdashstrongly opposed the passage of House Bill 862which among myriad other issues stripped the State TransientAccommodations Tax (TAT) allocation to the counties and allowed forup to an additional three percent surcharge to be levied on lodgingproperties The surcharge proposed by this measure represents a 29increase to the TAT that comes at a highly inopportune time for anindustry that has been drastically affected by the pandemic and travelrestrictions However with the veto override by the Legislature andthe ultimate passage of HB 862 we recognize the financial position inwhich the City amp County of Honolulu finds itself and the need todeliberate on the introduced bill As the latest version of Bill 40 (2020)does not stipulate the percentages by which the collected tax monies
will be divided between the general fund transit fund and theunnamed visitor impact fund we would like to provide comments onthe proposed measure at this time
As the vast majority of monies raised by the TATmdashand the new threepercent surchargemdashwill undoubtedly come from the pockets of visitorsit is our position that the lionrsquos share of these funds should be utilizedto address tourism related needs and the impacts created by travelersto Hawaii The opportunities in this regard are seemingly endless andcould include more routine county tasks such as road refinishing andupdates to our infrastructure but should also be used on projects moredirectly associated with tourism impacts like trail management beachand park maintenance additional support for first responders and theprovision of adequate public safety staffing at beaches and other Cityinstallations
We are all aware of the discussions currently happening in thecommunity that focus upon tourism its impact on our naturalresources and communities and the significant role it plays in oureconomy Anti-tourism sentiments are at an all-time high and both thetourism industry and the community are working to strike a finebalance that suits both residents and visitors to our home Relegatinga significant portion of funds generated by the surcharge to the tourismimpact fund would ensure that the City is appropriately addressing thevarious issues surrounding tourism with visitor dollars and would maketransparency in the process that much more likely The HawaiiTourism Authorityrsquos Destination Management Action Plan processmdashwhich aims to better manage tourism for our entire statemdashhas beencompleted for Oahu and this would be an ideal jumping off point tobegin discussion of how surcharge funds are utilized for some of theirpriorities Finally we would also like to better understand who willoversee the special tourism impact fund and ensure that said funds willbe used for their intended purposes through a transparent process
We look forward to a robust public discourse on this measure andthank you for the opportunity to provide these comments
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
Mobi[e 8084288717
c EmaH indascFarzschtzcoIlabortvecoin- lsquo- 5chatzcohaboratvecomcollaborative
October 5 2021
Via email to Honolulu City Council
SUBJECT Bill 40(2021) mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations TaxCouncil Meeting October 6 2021 1000am
Dear Council Members
I am submitting written testimony to offer comments to Bill 40
This bill must have a fixed percentage of the TAT dedicated to funding the rail to avoidraising property taxes or jeopardizing our bond rating
Irsquove been a housing advocate and developer for the last 20 years and have supported effortsto create multi-modal neighborhoods in the primary urban core If a fixed percentage of atleast half of the TAT to the county goes to rail construction operations and rail focusedactivities such as TOD it will help create ripe conditions for housing redevelopment andwalkable communities Rail is also a catalyst to begin the efforts to bring back sociallyequitable planning efforts to disadvantaged neighborhoods on Dahu Without a dedicatedsource of funding we lose so much more in terms of equitable opportunities for Oahursquoscommunity and future generations
Thank you again for the opportunity to submit this testimony If there are any questions or ifadditional information is needed please do not hesitate to contact me at (808)428-8717
Warmest Regards
Linda Schatz
Principal
HAWAII REGIONAL COUNCIL OF
CARPENTERS
October 6 2021
City Council
City amp County of Honolulu
Councilmember Tommy Waters Chair
Councilmember Esther Kiarsquoatildeina Vice Chair
Statement of the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters mdash SUPPORT for Bill 40 (2021)mdashRelating to thetransient accommodations tax
Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiarsquoatildeina and Members of the Council
The Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters would like to offer their support for Bill 40 relating to thetransient accommodations tax
Specifically this bill must contain a fixed percentage of the TAT that is dedicated to funding for rail sothe city can finish the project in fiscally responsible way without the need to raise property taxes
Dedicating a percentage of the TAT will also pay for the ongoing operations and maintenance of thesystem after construction has been completed again without the need to raise property taxes
Modernizing our infrastructure is important piece of the Biden administrationrsquos plan to ldquoBuild BackBetterrdquo Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will restore confidence with the FTA andcould potentially unlock additional federal funding opportunities
The downtown and Ala Moana rail stations will have a combined 11600 housing units as a result of theTransit Orientated Development planning and without a completed Rail project TOD and our affordablehousing goals cannot be met
Mass transit will decrease our dependance on imported oil reduce our greenhouse gas emissions andallow for the creation of walkable bikeable communities and safe streets for families
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has studied the impact of public transportation systems and rail isassociated with reductions in several health risk factors such as motor vehicle crashes air pollution andphysical inactivity
STATE HEADQUARTERS amp BUSINESS OFFICESOAIIU 1311 Hoiighiailirig SEreetHonnlulu Hawaii 96S17rsquo2711 bull Ph (808) 847-5761 Fax (808) 440-9188
111W OFFICE 525 Kilauca Avenue Room 205 Fur Hawaii 967203050 bull Ph (808) 935-8575 lOx (808) 935-8576KONA OFFICE 75-126 Lunapule RoadKajlua-Kona Hawaii 96740-2106 bull Ph (808) 329-7355 Fax (808) 326-9376
MAUI OFFICE 330 Hookahi StreetWailuku Maui 96793-1449 bull Ph (808) 2426891 Fax (808) 242-5961IA[JAI OFFICE KuIjo Medical CEr Bldg3-3295 Kuhio HwySuiteZOiLihue Kauai 96766-1040 Ph(SO8) 245-8511 Fax (808) 245-8911
A completed rail system will afford greater transportation options for Honolulu especially for seniors
and those who cannot afford the high costs of owning a vehicle
And it will enhance the quality life for leeward families who spend hours in traffic each day
Mahalo for your consideration
Nathaniel KinneynRinncyhrcc-bwflccm
MOVEOAHUFORWARD
October 6 2021
Chairman Tommy Waters and members of the Honolulu City Council
Aloha my name is Jennifer Sabas and I serve as the Executive Director of Move Oahu Forward a nonprofit organization supporting the Honolulu rail project as an integral part of a robust publictransportation system on Oahu I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish atransient accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of this amount I wouldrespectfully request that a portion be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project Thisnew revenue source a tourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both of whosewill ride the finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utility relocationalso continues Work either out to bid or ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficultsection of Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and a dedicated localrevenue source will allow for the completion of a system that will transform Oahu - Westside familieswill have the option to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending an hour+ in trafficTransit-oriented developments to include affordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances for many Oahu families
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support and look forward to a rigorousdebate and discussion in the months ahead
Aloha
Jennifer SabasExecutive DirectorMove Oahu ForwardP0 Box 1329Honolulu HI 96807
jennifermoveoahuforwardorg
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 353 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Nelisa Asato
Phone
Email nasatomatsoncomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee CouncilAgenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter SupportRepresenting Organization
Organization Matson Navigation Company IncWritten Testimony
Testimony AttachmentAccept Terms and Agreement 1
IP 19216820067
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 419 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Denise Boisvert
Phone
Email infofordeniseyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
YES I FULLY SUPPORT Bill 40 proposed by ChairWaters
Written Testimony All the requirements in the proposed bill are EXCELLENT
Mahalo to all for your kind consideration to more this billforward
Testimony Attachment
AcceptTerms and1
Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 418 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mary Kate Duggan
Phone
Email marykateelizabethduggangmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Resolution 21-234
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
Written Testimony
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and Agreement 1
lP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 423 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Kim Jorgensen
Phone
Email hawaiicondoyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on thematter
Support
Representing SelfOrganization
Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony on Bill 40 IWritten Testimonyfully SUPPORT it
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and1Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
HAwAII STATE AFL-CIO888 Mililani Street Suite 501 bull Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Randy Perreira Telephone (808)597-1441President Fax (808) 593-2149
City CouncilCity and County of Honolulu
Testimony byHawairsquoi State AFL-CIO
October 6 2021
Testimony in SUPPORT of Bill 40 Relating tothe Transient Accommodations Tax
The Hawairsquoi State AFL-CIO is a state federation of 74 affiliate local unions and councils with over68000 members across both public and private sectors We appreciate the opportunity to testify insupport of Bill 40
Of all counties in the state swift measures must be taken to mitigate the negative impact overtourismhas on Honolulursquos infrastructure Traffic congestion in Honolulu is exacerbated by the visitorindustry Establishing a three percent transient accommodations tax is key to generating the revenueneeded to invest in Orsquoahursquos public transportation system The Honolulu Rail Transit Project is apublic good that will benefit 0rsquo ahu workers residents and visitors alike by providing a publictransportation option that complements The Bus and further relieves traffic congestion where it ismost needed
We appreciate your consideration of our testimony in support of Bill 40 and strongly urge you to passthis bill
ectfullysnitted
Randy PerreiraPresident
Dion DizonQfbwtcio org
HAWAII APPLESEEDCENTER FOR LAW amp ECONOMIC JUSTTCE
Testimony of the Hawairsquoi Appleseed Center for Law and Economic JusticeSUPPORT mdash Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
City and County of HonoluluWednesday October 6 2021 10AM
Aloha Chair Waters and Councilmembers
We at Hawaii Appleseed strongly support Bill 40 and efforts to use TAT funds to complete therail project as it will dramatically increase the housing stock in TOD areas and create efficientand equitable access to transit To support the affordable housing that Oahu desperately needswe must finish the rail and provide the subsidies needed to ensure that housing is prioritized forlocal residents and stays affordable over the long-term
In addition we urge the council to provide that a fixed percentage of the TAT be allocatedto rail funding so the project can be completed in a fiscally responsible way with a securefunding stream Ideally all of the necessary funds for completion and ongoing maintenance cancome from this dedicated funding which is paid for by visitors to Oahu
Finishing the rail will enable thousands of homes to be built along the rail corridor Withappropriate affordability restrictions and public support these homes can address the severeshortage of affordable housing here on Oahu A recent 2020 study prepared by PBR Hawaii forthe Hawaii Office of Planning estimates the addition of 50900 residential units around the EastKapolei Stadium and lwilei TOD areas alone1rsquo Although these homes will be built in phasesover the next 40 years it is clear that development around rail can substantially contribute to oursupply of affordable housing According to the 2019 Hawaii Housing Planning Study Oahu willneed an additional 22168 residential units by 2025 with half of the need for households withcombined incomes of $75000 or less
Rail is needed to alleviate traffic and provide walkable neighborhoodsAs Oahu plans for the future we should be focused on housing constructed in walkable urbanneighborhoods with easy access to amenities parks and transit To support the smartaffordable and sustainable growth that is needed we should be building around rail-but first wemust complete the rail Access to rail offers an alternative to driving is likely to reduce traffic for
1 July 2020 State Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning and Implementation Project for theisland of Dahu by PBR Hawaii for the Hawaii State Office of Planning Attachment C
communities along the Leeward Coast and wHI create a more equitable way to access theurban core of Honolulu
We strongly urge the council to pass Bill 40 and to continue to work towards creating acomprehensive affordable housing strategy for the residents of Oahu Completing the rail is vitalto enable housing construction but it will take further efforts to ensure that a majority of housingis reserved for local residents and stays affordable over time
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify
Kenna Stormogipsonkennahibudgetorg
October 5 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer And Council Members
Honolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accomodation Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members
I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transient accommodations tax forthe City and County of Honolulu In addition I respectfully request a portion of this generatedtax to be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project We all realize the pastchallenges of the rail project but now have a great opportunity to position HART for a successfulcompletion of the Rail system
With the new leadership at HART I am more confident than ever that we have the managementindustry tmst transparency technical expertise and action plan required to move this projectahead This dedicated funding source which will be shouldered by our tourist will allowconstruction to continue toward a successful completion for ALL of us This will also spurTransit Oriented Deveiopment around the system to help create housing and businessopportunities in our communities
Thank you for this opportunity to submit my support for Bill 40 and to generate an additionalrevenue source for HART
Respectfully
Dexter Kubota PEVice President
dkubota bowersandkubotacom
a a aareg
aqJrsquoJ1001 Bishop Street I Suite 625 I Honolulu HI 96213-28301-866-295-7282 I Fax 808-536-2882
bull aarporghi I aarphiaarporg I twittercomAARPHawaiI
H auva i I
Honolulu City CouncilOctober 6 2021 1000 am
TO The Honorable Tommy Waters ChairpersonRE Bill 40mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the Committee
My name is Kealirsquoi Lopez and I am the State Director for AARP Hawairsquoi AARP is a membershiporganization of people age fifty and over with nearly 145000 members in HawaiiAARP Hawaii supports Bill 40 which seeks to establish transient accommodations tax (TAT) forthe City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and facilitate thereceipt and deposit of the revenue derived
We respectfully wish to add our comment and support for a dedicated percentage of the TATthat will support the mass transit project Having an ongoing dedicated source of funding willhelp pay for mass transit project the ongoing operations and maintenance of the system afterconstruction has been completed and without the need to raise property taxes
AARP has been a strong proponent of an age-friendly community that includesbull Multi-modal forms of transportation for people of all ages Rail affords another
transportation option for Honolulu especially for seniors and those who cannot affordthe high costs of owning a vehicle
bull Transit Orient Developments (TaD) with affordable housings built within walking andbiking distance of major rail stations
Bill 40 provides an opportunity for the City to modernize and complete our transportationinfrastructure Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will help restore confidencewith the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) and could potentially unlock additionalfederal funding opportunities and other public sources to finish the project Thank you for theopportunity to testify in support of Bill 40
Sincerely
lsquos--rsquo hr
Kealirsquoi Lopez State Director
klopezaarporg
BIABUILDING INDUSTRY
A S SOC AT ION ana
TESTIMONY TO THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCILHONOLULU HALE
COUNCIL CHAMBERSOctober 6 2021
900 AM
Honorable Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Council
RE Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
My name is Daryl Takamiya Chair of the Government Relations Committee of the BuildingIndustry Association of Hawaii (BIA-HawaN) Chartered in 1955 the Building IndustryAssociation of Hawaii is a professional trade organization affiliated with the National Associationof Home Builders representing the building industry and its associates BIA-HawaH takes aleadership role in unifying and promoting the interests of the industry to enhance the quality oflife for the people of Hawah Our members build the communities we all call home
BIA-Hawaii is in support of Bill 40 which would establish a transient accommodations tax for theCity and County of Honolulu specifically the portion of the bill that would provide for a depositinto the established transit fund
BIA-Hawaii continues to support the transit system on the island of Oahu because it willincrease the availability of housing as transit-oriented development communities are built Thelack of affordable housing and other quality of life issues continue to plague our communitiesImproving transportation will only help to alleviate these issues and without a completed railproject affordable housing goals will not be met Bill 40 will be an important component toensure that the transit system is brought to successful completion
We appreciate the opportunity to express our views on Sill 40
Stefanie Y Sakamotostefsakamotoconsultingcom
tamp 006-629-7501 94-487 Akoki St Ste 213 wwwbiahawakorg
fax 808-629-7701 Waipahu HI 9679 infobiahawaiiorg
From CLK Council Into
Sent Tuesday October 5 2021 657 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Stanford Masui
Phone
Email standamanniasuigmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-202 1
CouncilPHBudgetCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40
YOLIE positionOppose
on the matter
Representing Organization
Organization RAILSOS (Study Other Solutions)
Chairman Waters and members of the councilOur organization opposes this bill as written1 It assumes that a portion of the TAT will be set aside for a transit fund for the rail Thisassumption should not he made without a vigorous discussion as whether funds should hesiphoned off for a project that is no longer financially viable To put it bluntly why ldquothrowgood money after badrdquo
2 The rail is at an inflection point as to whether it should he constructed beyond its currentendpoint at Middle St or further intensive study as to viable alternatives rather thancontinuing on to Ala Moana at a prohibitive cost Past VIA administrators have urged the cityto consider modification of its plans a clear signal that additional funding may not beforthcoming
Wutten3 Transit Oriented Development is a myth Most of the buildina of condos in the KapiolaniTestimony -corridor were planned without any consideration of the rail route This is amply demonstratedby the fact that while HART struggles to come up with a funding plan and completion to AlaMoana is questionable developers are proceeding to build The numbers and actual cost ofaffordable housing in these condos are still too expensive for most people to afford Only onemajor project currently is in Ewa and that was planned years before the rail was developed
4 There are urgent issues that require immediate and priority funding homelessness and themental health system police fire and emergency services funding road and highwayimprovement and cleanup and improvement of tourist recreational areas such as parks andbeaches
5 Rather than triggering economic growth the public will be saddled with enormous debt bythe borrowed funding and operational expense estimated variously at present at $120- $150
million per year Electricity costs will cause operational expense to double This project couldbankrupt the city
6 HART should develop a funding or recovery plan before it comes to the council for aportion of TAT revenues
7 The final Environmental Impact Statement indicates only a minimal effect in alleviatingtraffic congestion which is the major argument in favor of funding the rail- The motoringpublic will not see any improvement in driving times and the studies were made years agoand are no longer reliable
The Council is urged to delete any provision that funds the rail in favor of funding otherurgent prioritiesThank you for your consideration
Te stin]on yAttachment
Accept TermsI
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 730 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Leslie M Inouye
Phone
Email Iinouyel4gmai1com
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHBuddeget
Committee
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position onOppose
the matter
Representing Self
Organization
Chairman Waters and City Council I and many others who have only recently becomeaware of Bill 40 must oppose the the use of the TAT to help fund rail It seems there are any
Writtennumber of backdoor plans to find the funds for rail despite the ongoing litany of items thateither have no clear fix andor no specific bottom line At some point you must realize thatTestimony
the rail is not a sustainable to use the popular contemporary term project and to continuepursuing this immense burden portends financial ruin for all of us Please let common senserule your decisions
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IF 19216820067
1
1 PETER A GANABANbull Business Manager
ampcretarj- Treasure
ALFONSO OlIVERPesident
JOBY NORTh IIlice President
TONI FIG(ERO4Recording Secretary
JAMES DRLrsquoMGOLD JRExecutiye Bd
ORLANDO PAESTEExecutive Board
JOSFIrsquoK jAWEsecutiw Board
ESTIIERAILA4udaor
RUSSELl NAPIIIA-4Auditor
SI lsquoIRK TRAVALINO4uJior
MAITINARAN4YDOamprgearn-dt-Arms
LIUNA Local 3681617 Palarna StreetHonolulu HI 96817
Phone (808) 841-5877Fax (808)847-7829
wiwIocaI368org
LiUNA
TESTIMONY OF THE HAWAII LABORERSrsquo UNION LOCAL 358
Honolulu City CouncilCouncil Meeting
Wednesday October 6 20211000 AM
RE Bill 40(2021) mdash RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATION TAX(TAT)
Chair Waters Vice-chair Kiarsquoaina and Council Members
The Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 and its 5000 working and retired men andwomen across the state of Hawaii stand in strong support of Bill 40(2021) whichestablishes a transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) for the City and Countyof Honolulu
The TAT funding proposed in Bill 40 would allow the City and County of Honoluluto maintain and preserve our island while mitigating the impacts of our naturalresources while also building new and existing infrastructure - including theHonolulu Rail Project This proposed measure would help generate much neededrevenue while having our island visitors help in sharing the cost
Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 respectfully requests that the council takefavorable action on this measure and support Bill 40
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony
Shingayi MasiyaGovernment Relations Director
Feel the Power
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 754 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Paul Yonamine
PhoneEmail paulyonaminecpbbank
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncil
Committee
Agenda Item Testimony and Support for Bill 40Your position
Supporton the mailer
Representing Self
Organization
Testimony and Support for Bill 40
I am Paul Yonamine Executive Chairman of Central Pacific Bank andI am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transientaccommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of thisamount I would respectfully request that a portion be set aside for thecompletion of the Honolulu rail project This new revenue source atourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both ofwhom will use and ride a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steadypace Work on utility relocation also continues Work either out to bidor ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficult section of
Written Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and aTestimony dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of a
system that wilt transform Oahu - Westside families will have theoption to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending anhourdivide in traffic Transit-oriented developments (TOD) to includeaffordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances
Rail and TOD represents the single most important economic driverfor the City and County of Honolulu and the state of Hawaii It alsopresents an invaluable opportunity for more affordable housingdevelopment for generations to come Donrsquot stop and impedeprogress of rail because of past project mismanagement We shouldmake sure the project is fully funded and that capable projectmanagers are hired positioned and empowered to complete thisproject
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support andlook forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 824 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Michael KamakaPhone
Email mkamakabowersandkubotacomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40 - Transient Accommodations TaxYour position
Supporton the matterRepresenting SelfOrganization
October 6 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer and Council MembersHonolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Sill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodation TaxDear Chair Waters and MembersPlease accept this written testimony of my support of Bill 40 toestablish a transient accommodations tax for the City and County ofHonolulu Under Sill 40
Written I believe a transient accommodations tax collects the fair and equitableTestimony amount from visitors who enjoy our City and County of Honolulu today
and in the future The tax will provide funding to mitigate impacts ofvisitors by providing money to support the restoration and maintenanceof public facilitiesAs part of the mitigation to the impacts of visitors I respectfully requesta portion of this transient accommodations tax be set aside to supportthe completion of the Honolulu rail project A rail system will helpmitigate the impacts by visitors in the Honolulu area by providing acleaner alternative of transportation thereby minimizing pollutantscaused by vehicle traffic and congestionAlthough there has been fiscal schedule and constructabilitychallenges there is a renewed hope and optimism for the completionof the rail system A renewable source of funding is the opportunity toposition HART for a successful completion of the rail system With new
1
leadership at HART I am confident HART has the people industrytrust transparency technical expertise and viable action plan neededto move this project ahead Funding through a portion of the transientaccommodation tax will provide a sustainable and dedicated fundingsource to allow construction to continueThank you for allowing me this opportunity to submit my support for Bill40Respectfully
Michael Kamaka PE Principal
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
HAWAII LABORERS-EMPLOYERS COOPERATION AND EDUCATION TRUST 650 Iwilei Road Suite 285 Honolulu HI 96817 Phone 808-845-3238 Fax 808-845-8300
October 4 2021
HONOLULU CITY COUNCIL City Council Chamber
Honolulu Hawaii 96813 DATE Wednesday October 6 2021
TIME 1000 am
TESTIMONY ON BILL 40 (2021) - RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMODATIONS TAX To Committee Chair Waters Vice Chair Kia`aina and members of the Honolulu City Council Hawaii LECET is a labor-management partnership between the Hawaii Laborersrsquo International Union of North America Local 368 itsrsquo 5000+ members and itsrsquo 250+ unionized contractors The Laborersrsquo International Union of North America is the largest construction union in the United States Mahalo for the opportunity to testify in support of Bill 40 (2021) which seeks to establish a County Transient Accommodations Tax to support restoration of funding which was diverted by the Hawaii State Legislature Bill 40 would also ensure that visitors share in the costs for services provided by the City and County of Honolulu as well as fund efforts to mitigate the impacts on natural resources due to tourism For these reasons Hawaii LECET supports Bill 40 (2021) and asks for your consideration and support With respect Hawaii Laborers-Employers Cooperation amp Education Trust
TO Members of the Honolulu City Council
FROM Natalie Iwasa CPA CFE808-395-3233
DATE Wednesday October 6 2021
SUBJECT Bill 40 Transient Accommodations Tax - OPPOSED
Aloha Chair Waters and Councilmembers
Thank you for allowing testimonyrsquo on Bill 40 which would implement atransient accommodations tax (TAT) at the county level and assign certaincurrently unspecified amounts to the general fund the transit fund (for railconstruction) and a new special fund I oppose this bill for several reasonsand am testifying in my individual capacity
TAT Related to the Transit Fund
No additional funding should go to rail for the following reasons
bull The financial plan has not yet been updated and the recovery planlsquohch will include an updated financia Han isnrsquot due tinti] enrv nextyear
bull There has been no public discussion of the 25+ alternative ideas thatwere discussed by HART staff earlier this year
bull The current shortfall for rail construction has been estimated at gt S3billion If the city provided 5100 millionyear from the TAT for railconstruction it would take 30 years to pay off the current shortfallexcluding additional financing costs
bull HART still has no internal audit function and the Internal AuditCommittee of the HART board that was recently added to the approvedboard rules is on hold
bull There is no tip hotline or fraud policy
It would be irresponsible for crnmcilmembers to approve any additionalfunding for rail construction until these matters are taken care of
Natalie IwasaBill 40 TATPage 2
Special Fund
According to Chapter 6 of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu we alreadyhave 50 special or revolving funds Please clean up what is already there beforeadding any new funds
Administration
Sec 8A-19 Rent collection by third party includes a requirement that a copy ofthe first page of the rental agreement or IRS Form 1099 and certain otherdocuments must be filed with the city Renta agreements may include privatepersonal information about tenants I therefore oppose the requirement toprovide this information to the city
In addition the Form 1099 may include a landlordrsquos social security number Ioppose the requirement to provide this to the city These requirements go toofar in an attempt to enforce a county TAT
Sec 8A-1 13(a) (1) Application of tax indicates that any rental for less than 180consecutive days is presumed to be for a transient purpose This presumptiondoes not take into consideration the fact that locals may need to rent for lesstHu 180 days for various reasons I therefore oppose this sectinn
MARRIOTTVACATIONS
WORLDWIDESM
October 5 2021
TO Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairMembers of the Honolulu City Council
FR Denis Ebrill Marriott Vacations Worldwide CorporationRE Comments on Bill 40 Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
Aloha Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiarsquoaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Thank you for allowing me to submit testimony on behalf of Marriott Vacations WorldwideCorporation (ldquoMVWCrdquo) providing Comments and Amendments to Bill 40 establishing atransient accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu MVVC is a global leader inthe timeshare industry with ten resort properties in Hawaii Timeshare resorts are an important andstabilizing part of the tourism industry and resort development provides thousands of constructionjobs in Hawaii per year
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (ldquoCountyTATrdquo) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gross rental proceeds derivedfrom the furnishing of transient accommodations Every transient accommodation broker travelagency and tour packager that arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shallpay the County TAT Further every time share vacation plan must be represented by a planmanager Pursuant to Section 7 the new Count TAT is considered Levied on the effective date ofBill 40
MVWC understands the Countyrsquos intentions in establishing the County TAT however wehave concerns with the implementation of the additional 3 percent increase Implementing theCounty 1rsquoAT upon approval puts hotel operators at a disadvantage Essentially this would meanthat the Count TAT would be retroactively applicable to reservations made on the effective dateeven though the bill has not been signed by the Mayor Furthermore hotel operators will notbe able to 1) disclose the new tax to guests in advance and 2) adjust booking systems and rentalagreements to collect the new tax from guests after the County TAT has been officially establishedAdditionally timeshare resorts will need to update their Hawaii disclosure statements and file withthe Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (ldquoDCCArdquo)
Accordingly MVWC respectfully requests the County TAT not be levied until at aminimum not earlier than 30 days after Bill 40rsquos approval to allow 1) appropriate notice to begiven to travel partners that the law has been signed 2) booking systems to be updated with thenew County TAT and 3) rental agreements to be modified with the new requiredlanguage Furthermore an additional 30 days provides resorts an adequate amount of time toprovide proper notice to guests update disclosure statements with DCCA and coordinate withthird party booking platforms to accommodate new tax
9002 San Marco Court Orlando Florida 32819 T 407-206-6000 F 407-206-6420 cornProud supporter of Childrenrsquos Miracle Network Hospitals
Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairOctober 52021Page 2
Moreover an additional 30 days after signing would be consistent with the timeframe ofprevious increases in TAT at the state level and recent implementation in other counties Typicallywhen the TAT was increased at the state level in the past the legislation would allow for severalmonths to enable the hotel industry to adjust internal booking systems to properly disclose andcharge for the increased rate Further Maui County recently passed their own county TAT with alevied date of November 12021 which will be approximately 30 days after it is signed into lawMaui County found the additional time to be a fair comprise to allow the hotel industry to accountfor the County TAT
Based upon the foregoing MVWC recommends the following amendments to Bill 40
1 Amend Section 7 to state ldquoThis ordinance takes effect upon its approval The transientaccommodations tax established by this ordinance is considered levied 30 days afterapprovalrdquo
Mahalo for your consideration of these amendments
Aloha
Dcnis EbrillSenior Vice PresidentMarriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation
Evan Cueqvimanaka-asatocpm
AQU AbullbullA S TO NH OS P I TA LIT V
October 52021
TO Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice ChairMembers of the Honolulu City Council
FR Aqua-Aston Hospitality
RE Comments on Bill 40 Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
Aloha Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiarsquoaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Thank you for allowing Aqua-Aston Hospitality LLC (ldquoAqua-Astonrdquo) to provideComments and Amendments to Bill 40 establishing a transient accommodations tax for the Cityand County of Honolulu Aqua-Aston has engaged in hotel and resort management in the state ofHawaii for over 75 years
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (ldquoCountyTATrdquo) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gloss rental proceeds derivedfrom the iltraishing of transient accommodations Ever transient accommodation broker travelagency and tour packager tat arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shallpay the County TAT Pursuant to Section 7 the new County TAT is considered levied on theeffective date of Bill 40
AquamdashAston understands the Countyrsquos intentions in establishing the County TAT inresponse to Act I Special Session Laws of Hawairsquo i which stripped the County of allocated StateTransient Accommodations Tax Nevertheless we have concerns with the implementation ofthe additional 3 percent increase Having the County TAT levied upon approval puts hoteloperators at a disadvantage Hotel operators 1) will not be able to disclose the County TAT toguests who have already booked in advance of or on the effective date nor 2) sufficient time toadjust booking systems and rental agreements to enable them to collect the County TAT on theeffective date Similarly the County TAT would be retroactively applicable to reservations madeon the effective date even though the bill has not yet been signed by the Mayor
Aqua-Aston respectfully requests the County TAT be levied until at a minimum notearlier than 30 days after Bill 40rsquos approval to allow I) appropriate notice to be given to travelpartners 2) booking engines to be updated with the new County TAT and 3) rentalagreements to be modified with the new required language Furthermore an additional 30 daysprovides resorts an adequate amount of time to provide proper notice to guests and coordinate withthird party booking platforms to accommodate the Count)rsquo TAT
Office 820 MilHani St Ste 600 Honolulu HI 96813 T 803-931-1400MaiHrig Address 6649 Westwood Blvd Orlando FL 32821
Moreover an additional 30 days after signing would be consistent with the timeframe ofprevious increases in TAT at the state level and recent implementation in other counties Typicallywhen the TAT was increased at the state level in the past the legislation would allow for severalmonths to enable the hotel industry to adjust internal booking systems to properly disclose andcharge for the increased rate Further Maui County recently passed their own county TAT with alevied date of November 1 202L which will be approximately 30 days after it is signed into lawMaui County found the additional time to be a fair compromise to allow the hotel industry toaccount for the County TAT
Accordingly Aqua-Aston recommends the following amendment to Bill 40
1 Amend Section 7 to state ldquoThis ordinance takes effect upon its approval The transientaccommodations tax established by this ordinance is considered levied 30 days afterapprovalrdquo
Mahalo for your consideration of these amendments
Respectfully submitted
Denis EbrillAqua Aston Hospitality LLC Managing Director
Evan Dueeouecjmanaka-asatocorn
Office 820 Mililani St Ste 600 Honolulu HI 96813 1808-931-1400Mailing Address 6649 Westwood Blvd Orlando FL 32821
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 1047 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Evan CuePhone
Email eoueimanaka-asatocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40Your position on the
Commentmatter
Representing Organization
Organization ARDA Hawaii
Please find attached ARDA Hawaiirsquos Testimony providingWritten Testimonycomments on Bill 40
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and1Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
1
October 5 2021
TO Councilmember Tommy Waters Chair
Councilmember Esther Kiaaina Vice- Chair
Members of the Honolulu City Council
FR AMERICAN RESORT DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION ndash HAWAII (ARDA Hawaii)
RE Comments on Bill 40 (Bill 40) RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT
ACCOMMODATIONS TAX (ESTABLISHING A TRANSIENT
ACCOMMODATIONS TAX FOR THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU
PROVIDE FOR ITS IMPOSITION AND DISPOSITION AND FACILITATE THE
RECEIPT AND DEPOSIT OF THE REVENUES DERIVED FROM THE TRANSIENT
ACCOMMODATIONS TAX)
Aloha Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Thank you for allowing ARDA Hawaii to submit testimony providing Comments and
Amendments to Bill 40 establishing a transient accommodations tax for the City and County of
Honolulu ARDA Hawaii is the local chapter of the trade association for the timeshare industry
Timeshare is an important and stabilizing part of the tourism industry and Honolulus economy
Timeshare owners have made a long-term commitment to Honolulu by purchasing and owning
real property in the County These owners are consistent and dependable visitors who bring
substantial tax dollars and continue to come even during periods of economic downturn
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (County
TAT) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gross rental proceeds derived
from the furnishing of transient accommodations Every transient accommodation broker travel
agency and tour packager that arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shall
pay the County TAT Further every time share vacation plan must be represented by a plan
manager Pursuant to Section 7 the new County TAT is considered levied on the effective date of
Bill 40
ARDA Hawaii understands the need for the County to establish the County TAT
however we have concerns with the timing of the application of the additional 3 percent
increase Having the County TAT levied upon approval puts hotel operators at a disadvantage
Essentially this would mean that the County TAT would be retroactively applicable to
2
reservations made on the effective date even though the bill has not been signed by the Mayor
Furthermore hotel operators will not be able to 1) disclose the new tax to guests in advance and
2) adjust booking systems and rental agreements to collect the new tax from guests after the
County TAT has been officially established In turn operators will need to pay for the County
TAT themselves for reservations on the effective date
Moreover timeshare resorts will need to update their Hawaii disclosure statements and
file with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) This is often a time-
consuming process requiring approval from the DCCA Having Bill 40 be levied upon approval
will lead to inadequate disclosure to customers Imposing the County TAT in this manner will
make it impossible for developers and operators to provide full and fair disclosure to buyers
owners and other occupants
Accordingly ARDA Hawaii respectfully requests the County TAT be levied at a
minimum not earlier than 30 days after Bill 40s approval to allow 1) appropriate notice to be
given to travel partners that the law has been signed 2) hotel operators to charge for the
County TAT that is officially passed 3) booking engines to be updated with the new County
TAT and 4) rental agreements to be modified with the new required language Further the any
additional time will provide developers and timeshare operators time to update disclosure
statements with DCCA and provide consumers with full and fair disclosure
Specifically ARDA Hawaii recommends the following amendment to Bill 40
1 Amend Section 7 to state This ordinance takes effect upon its approval The transient
accommodations tax established by this ordinance is considered levied 30 days after
approval
Mahalo for your consideration of our comments We look forward to working with the
Council on implementing a policy that will enhance the ability of developers and operators to
comply with the new existing laws and requirements that compel fair and full disclosure of the
County TAT to consumers
Respectfully Submitted
Mitchell A Imanaka
Chair
American Resort Development Association of Hawaii
HAWAII OPERATING ENGINEERSINDusTRY STABILIZATION FuND
(ccedilg) 1
lsquoheftzc cqr ltnagth ant orkrn ngctaer(a a Ut
October 5 2021
Honorable Tommy Waters Honolulu City Council ChairHonorable Esther Kiarsquoaacuteina Honolulu City Council Vice ChairHonorable Members of the Honolulu City Council
RE Bill 40(2021) Relating to the transient accommodations tax (Establishing a transient
accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and
facilitate the receipt and deposit of the revenues derived from the transient accommodations tax)
Chair Waters
My name is Pane Meatoga Ill and I am the Community Liaison representing the Hawaii OperatingEngineers Industry Stabilization Fund (HOEISF) We are a labor management fund representing 3000unionized members in heavy engineering site work and 500 general contractors specializing in heavy siteand vertical construction Our organization would like to offer our written testimony in support of Bill40(2021)
Construction of the rait guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utility relocationalso continues Currently construction work has either been bid out or is ready to start the bidingprocess and design work is ongoing for the most difficult section of Dillingham Boulevard We aregetting closer to the finish line and members of Operating Engineers Local 3 and other trade unions arehard at work making this project a reality
We believe a dedicated local revenue source that is not from real property taxes will allow for thecompleUon of a rail system that lsquoArsquoill transform Oahu for the benefit of future generations A fixedpercentage of the Cityrsquos Transient Accommodation Tax (TAT) dedicated to rail is exactly what the countyneeds now to continue this project We recommend that the Honolulu City Council consider allocatinga percentage of the Countyrsquos TAT to the Honolulu Rail Project
We appreciate the Honolulu City Council taking up this bill We look forward to Bill 40 progressingthrough the legislative process and we look forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
Sincerely
Pane Meatoga IllHawaii Operating Engineers Industry Stabilization Fund
pnceuroh pciLccrn
DUHO1IFONjasorsca4 ampuatildeder
HAWAII
October 52021
Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairMembers of the Honolulu City Council
RE Comments on Bill 40 (ldquoBill 40rdquo) Rclating to the Transient Accommodations TaxHearing date Wednesday October 6 2021 at 1000 AM
Aloha Chair Waters Vicc Chair Kiarsquoaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Mahalo for the opportunity to submit testimony on behalf of DR Horton Hawaii LLC(ldquoDR Hortonrdquo) in Support of Bill 40 relating to the transient accommodations tax DR Hortonis one of Hawaiirsquos largest home builders and has been providing affordable housing and first-timebuyer homes for Hawaiirsquos families throughout Oahu for nearly fifty years
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (ldquoCountyTATrdquo) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gross rental proceeds derivedfrom the furnishing of transient accommodations Every transient accommodation broker travelagency and tour packagDr that arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shallpay the County TAT Additionally Bill 40 allocates percentages of the tax revenue generated bythe County TAT into I) the general fund 2) the transit fund established under Chapter 6 Article61 and 3) a special account in the general fund specifically used to mitigate the impacts of visitorson public facilities including the restoration and maintenance of beaches and parks
Prinarily DR Horton supports an allocation of the County TAT to be dedicated tofunding the rail project We favor a fixed allocation of funding that will enable the city to finishand maintain the project in a fiscally responsible way allowing the rail project to be completedwithout raising property taxes or endangering the Countyrsquos bond rating Furthermore funding therail project will restore confidence with the FTA and potentially unlock much needed federalfunding
Additionally the completion of the rail project will directly influence the creation of asignificant inventory of much needed affordable housing Completing the rail project willincentivize transit oriented development around the downtown and Ala Moana rail stationsprojected to create an additional 11600 housing units Failing to complete the rail project will putus that much further behind the curve in reaching our collective affordable housing goals
Dahu Maui Hawaii Island Kauai
130 Merchant Street Suite 112 Honolulu Hawaii 96813 8085215661
wwwdrhortoncomhawaii
Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairOctober 52021Page 2
Finally completion of the rail has the added benefit of decreasing our dependance onimported oil and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging multi-modal forms oftransportation that are both walkable and bikeable consistent with the Cityrsquos long term planninggoals Further the completion of the rail project will create a much needed connection betweenmaster planned communities in Ewa and downtown Honolulu enhancing the quality life forfamilies living in West Oahu
In summary DR Horton supports Bill 40 and the proposed allocations Mahalo for yourtime and consideration It is very much appreciated Should you have any questions please donot hesitate to contact me at 808-782-4109 or ttonakicdrhortoneom
Sincerely
9KTracy TonakiSenior Vice President
Evan Quoeoueirnanaka-asatoeom
1065 Ahua StreetHonolulu H 96819Phone 808-833-1681 FAX 839-4167Email jfbullfccedileaIigcaQia (iINERAI (lsquo()NrIAuIORS ASSOCIATION OF I IAWAIIWebsite wwwgcahawoiiore
Quality People Quality Projects
October 162021
Councilman Tommy Waters ChairMembers of the City CouncilCity amp County of the Honolulu CityHonolulu HI 96813
Re Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the City Council
The General Contractors Association of Hawaii (GCA) is an organization comprised ofapproximately five hundred (500) general contractors subcontractors and construction relatedfirms The GCA was established in 1932 and is the largest construction association in the Stateof Hawaii Our mission is to elevate Hawaiirsquos construction industry and strengthen thefoundation of our community
GCA is in STRONG SUPPORT of Bill 40 which establishes a transient accommodations taxfor the City and County of Honolulu
Of this amount we respectfully request that a portion be set aside for the completion of theI lonolulu rail project This new revenue source a tourist tax comes from our visitors rather thanour residents both of whom will use and ridc a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utilityrelocation also continues A dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of asystem that will transform Oahu Westsidc families will have the option to ride the rail to workand school rather than spending an hour-4- in traffic
Further transit-oriented developments include affordable units along the route This will helpaddress our housing shortage asll600 housing units along the downtown and Ala Moana railstations will be completed as a result of the TOD planning This creates multi-modals form oftransportation that allow for walkable bikeable communities and safe streets for families
Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony in support of Bill 40
Ryan Sakuda
ryan(gcahawaiiorg
-4rsquo
a4714rdquo t014 5n
Testimony by Harry SaundersPresident Castle amp Cooke Hawairsquoi
October 5 2021
City and County of Honolulu City CouncilRegarding
BILL 40 (2021)RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS TAX
SUPPORT WITH COMMENTS
Chair amp Presiding Officer Tommy Waters Vice Chair Esther Kiarsquoaumlina and Members of the City Council
I am Harry Saunders Presidcnt of Castle amp Cookc Hawairsquoi Thank you for the opportunity to submittcstimony regarding Bill 40 (2021)
Castic amp Cooke Hawairsquoi supports the intent of Bill 40 that will dedicate a portion of the transientaccommodations tax into a transportation fund It is critical that this bill have a fixed percentage of thetransient accommodations tax dedicated towards the funding of the rail so the city can finish the projectin a fiscally responsible way without raising property taxes and endangering our cityrsquos bond rating
Allocating a fixed percentage of the transient accommodations tax to fund the rail transit project will havelong temi benefits to visitors and kamarsquoaina alike
Rail will provide multi-modal opportunities giving residents transportation options It will help reducethe dependence on vehicles and its requisite imported oils with overall benefits to the health of ourenvironment Rail will reduce commute times for residents living in outlying communities The timethey gain back will enhance their quality of life
It also provides housing and redevelopment opportunities to communities With this redevelopmentcomes affordable housing Affordable housing planned in Transit Oriented Development for thedowntown and Ala Moana rail stations is a combined 11600 housing units
Allocating a fixed percentage of the TAT funding to Rail will pay for the ongoing operations andmaintenance of the system after construction has been completed again without the need to raiseproperty taxes
Mahalo for your consideration of my testimony Should you have any questions please feel free tocontact us
Harry Saunders Garret MatsunamiPresident Vice President Residential OperationsCastle amp Cooke Hawairsquoi Castle amp Cooke Hawairsquoifsakai(i2eastlecookeeom gmatsunamicastlecookecomPhone 548-4884 Phone 626-3625llcQmacastIecookecom
680 Iwilei Road Box 510 Honolulu Hawaii 96817Phone (808) 548-4811 Fax (808) 548-6690
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 110 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mufi HannemannPhoneEmail mhannemanncopyhawaBlodgingorgMeeting Date 10-06-2021CouncilPH
CouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40Your position
Commenton the matter
Representing Organization
Organization Hawairsquoi Lodging amp Tourism AssociationTestimony ofMufi HannemannPresident amp CEOHawaii Lodging amp Tourism Association
Honolulu City CouncilBill 40 (2021)October 6 2021
Chair Waters and members of the Honolulu City Council mahalo forthe opportunity to submit testimony on behalf of the Hawaii Lodging ampTourism Association the statersquos largest private sector visitor industryorganization
WrittenTestimony The Hawaii Lodging amp Tourism Associationmdashnearly 700 members
strong representing more than 50000 hotel rooms and nearly 40000lodging workersmdashstrongly opposed the passage of House Bill 862which among myriad other issues stripped the State TransientAccommodations Tax (TAT) allocation to the counties and allowed forup to an additional three percent surcharge to be levied on lodgingproperties The surcharge proposed by this measure represents a 29increase to the TAT that comes at a highly inopportune time for anindustry that has been drastically affected by the pandemic and travelrestrictions However with the veto override by the Legislature andthe ultimate passage of HB 862 we recognize the financial position inwhich the City amp County of Honolulu finds itself and the need todeliberate on the introduced bill As the latest version of Bill 40 (2020)does not stipulate the percentages by which the collected tax monies
will be divided between the general fund transit fund and theunnamed visitor impact fund we would like to provide comments onthe proposed measure at this time
As the vast majority of monies raised by the TATmdashand the new threepercent surchargemdashwill undoubtedly come from the pockets of visitorsit is our position that the lionrsquos share of these funds should be utilizedto address tourism related needs and the impacts created by travelersto Hawaii The opportunities in this regard are seemingly endless andcould include more routine county tasks such as road refinishing andupdates to our infrastructure but should also be used on projects moredirectly associated with tourism impacts like trail management beachand park maintenance additional support for first responders and theprovision of adequate public safety staffing at beaches and other Cityinstallations
We are all aware of the discussions currently happening in thecommunity that focus upon tourism its impact on our naturalresources and communities and the significant role it plays in oureconomy Anti-tourism sentiments are at an all-time high and both thetourism industry and the community are working to strike a finebalance that suits both residents and visitors to our home Relegatinga significant portion of funds generated by the surcharge to the tourismimpact fund would ensure that the City is appropriately addressing thevarious issues surrounding tourism with visitor dollars and would maketransparency in the process that much more likely The HawaiiTourism Authorityrsquos Destination Management Action Plan processmdashwhich aims to better manage tourism for our entire statemdashhas beencompleted for Oahu and this would be an ideal jumping off point tobegin discussion of how surcharge funds are utilized for some of theirpriorities Finally we would also like to better understand who willoversee the special tourism impact fund and ensure that said funds willbe used for their intended purposes through a transparent process
We look forward to a robust public discourse on this measure andthank you for the opportunity to provide these comments
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
Mobi[e 8084288717
c EmaH indascFarzschtzcoIlabortvecoin- lsquo- 5chatzcohaboratvecomcollaborative
October 5 2021
Via email to Honolulu City Council
SUBJECT Bill 40(2021) mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations TaxCouncil Meeting October 6 2021 1000am
Dear Council Members
I am submitting written testimony to offer comments to Bill 40
This bill must have a fixed percentage of the TAT dedicated to funding the rail to avoidraising property taxes or jeopardizing our bond rating
Irsquove been a housing advocate and developer for the last 20 years and have supported effortsto create multi-modal neighborhoods in the primary urban core If a fixed percentage of atleast half of the TAT to the county goes to rail construction operations and rail focusedactivities such as TOD it will help create ripe conditions for housing redevelopment andwalkable communities Rail is also a catalyst to begin the efforts to bring back sociallyequitable planning efforts to disadvantaged neighborhoods on Dahu Without a dedicatedsource of funding we lose so much more in terms of equitable opportunities for Oahursquoscommunity and future generations
Thank you again for the opportunity to submit this testimony If there are any questions or ifadditional information is needed please do not hesitate to contact me at (808)428-8717
Warmest Regards
Linda Schatz
Principal
HAWAII REGIONAL COUNCIL OF
CARPENTERS
October 6 2021
City Council
City amp County of Honolulu
Councilmember Tommy Waters Chair
Councilmember Esther Kiarsquoatildeina Vice Chair
Statement of the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters mdash SUPPORT for Bill 40 (2021)mdashRelating to thetransient accommodations tax
Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiarsquoatildeina and Members of the Council
The Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters would like to offer their support for Bill 40 relating to thetransient accommodations tax
Specifically this bill must contain a fixed percentage of the TAT that is dedicated to funding for rail sothe city can finish the project in fiscally responsible way without the need to raise property taxes
Dedicating a percentage of the TAT will also pay for the ongoing operations and maintenance of thesystem after construction has been completed again without the need to raise property taxes
Modernizing our infrastructure is important piece of the Biden administrationrsquos plan to ldquoBuild BackBetterrdquo Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will restore confidence with the FTA andcould potentially unlock additional federal funding opportunities
The downtown and Ala Moana rail stations will have a combined 11600 housing units as a result of theTransit Orientated Development planning and without a completed Rail project TOD and our affordablehousing goals cannot be met
Mass transit will decrease our dependance on imported oil reduce our greenhouse gas emissions andallow for the creation of walkable bikeable communities and safe streets for families
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has studied the impact of public transportation systems and rail isassociated with reductions in several health risk factors such as motor vehicle crashes air pollution andphysical inactivity
STATE HEADQUARTERS amp BUSINESS OFFICESOAIIU 1311 Hoiighiailirig SEreetHonnlulu Hawaii 96S17rsquo2711 bull Ph (808) 847-5761 Fax (808) 440-9188
111W OFFICE 525 Kilauca Avenue Room 205 Fur Hawaii 967203050 bull Ph (808) 935-8575 lOx (808) 935-8576KONA OFFICE 75-126 Lunapule RoadKajlua-Kona Hawaii 96740-2106 bull Ph (808) 329-7355 Fax (808) 326-9376
MAUI OFFICE 330 Hookahi StreetWailuku Maui 96793-1449 bull Ph (808) 2426891 Fax (808) 242-5961IA[JAI OFFICE KuIjo Medical CEr Bldg3-3295 Kuhio HwySuiteZOiLihue Kauai 96766-1040 Ph(SO8) 245-8511 Fax (808) 245-8911
A completed rail system will afford greater transportation options for Honolulu especially for seniors
and those who cannot afford the high costs of owning a vehicle
And it will enhance the quality life for leeward families who spend hours in traffic each day
Mahalo for your consideration
Nathaniel KinneynRinncyhrcc-bwflccm
MOVEOAHUFORWARD
October 6 2021
Chairman Tommy Waters and members of the Honolulu City Council
Aloha my name is Jennifer Sabas and I serve as the Executive Director of Move Oahu Forward a nonprofit organization supporting the Honolulu rail project as an integral part of a robust publictransportation system on Oahu I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish atransient accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of this amount I wouldrespectfully request that a portion be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project Thisnew revenue source a tourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both of whosewill ride the finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utility relocationalso continues Work either out to bid or ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficultsection of Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and a dedicated localrevenue source will allow for the completion of a system that will transform Oahu - Westside familieswill have the option to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending an hour+ in trafficTransit-oriented developments to include affordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances for many Oahu families
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support and look forward to a rigorousdebate and discussion in the months ahead
Aloha
Jennifer SabasExecutive DirectorMove Oahu ForwardP0 Box 1329Honolulu HI 96807
jennifermoveoahuforwardorg
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 353 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Nelisa Asato
Phone
Email nasatomatsoncomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee CouncilAgenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter SupportRepresenting Organization
Organization Matson Navigation Company IncWritten Testimony
Testimony AttachmentAccept Terms and Agreement 1
IP 19216820067
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 419 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Denise Boisvert
Phone
Email infofordeniseyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
YES I FULLY SUPPORT Bill 40 proposed by ChairWaters
Written Testimony All the requirements in the proposed bill are EXCELLENT
Mahalo to all for your kind consideration to more this billforward
Testimony Attachment
AcceptTerms and1
Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 418 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mary Kate Duggan
Phone
Email marykateelizabethduggangmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Resolution 21-234
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
Written Testimony
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and Agreement 1
lP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 423 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Kim Jorgensen
Phone
Email hawaiicondoyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on thematter
Support
Representing SelfOrganization
Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony on Bill 40 IWritten Testimonyfully SUPPORT it
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and1Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
HAwAII STATE AFL-CIO888 Mililani Street Suite 501 bull Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Randy Perreira Telephone (808)597-1441President Fax (808) 593-2149
City CouncilCity and County of Honolulu
Testimony byHawairsquoi State AFL-CIO
October 6 2021
Testimony in SUPPORT of Bill 40 Relating tothe Transient Accommodations Tax
The Hawairsquoi State AFL-CIO is a state federation of 74 affiliate local unions and councils with over68000 members across both public and private sectors We appreciate the opportunity to testify insupport of Bill 40
Of all counties in the state swift measures must be taken to mitigate the negative impact overtourismhas on Honolulursquos infrastructure Traffic congestion in Honolulu is exacerbated by the visitorindustry Establishing a three percent transient accommodations tax is key to generating the revenueneeded to invest in Orsquoahursquos public transportation system The Honolulu Rail Transit Project is apublic good that will benefit 0rsquo ahu workers residents and visitors alike by providing a publictransportation option that complements The Bus and further relieves traffic congestion where it ismost needed
We appreciate your consideration of our testimony in support of Bill 40 and strongly urge you to passthis bill
ectfullysnitted
Randy PerreiraPresident
Dion DizonQfbwtcio org
HAWAII APPLESEEDCENTER FOR LAW amp ECONOMIC JUSTTCE
Testimony of the Hawairsquoi Appleseed Center for Law and Economic JusticeSUPPORT mdash Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
City and County of HonoluluWednesday October 6 2021 10AM
Aloha Chair Waters and Councilmembers
We at Hawaii Appleseed strongly support Bill 40 and efforts to use TAT funds to complete therail project as it will dramatically increase the housing stock in TOD areas and create efficientand equitable access to transit To support the affordable housing that Oahu desperately needswe must finish the rail and provide the subsidies needed to ensure that housing is prioritized forlocal residents and stays affordable over the long-term
In addition we urge the council to provide that a fixed percentage of the TAT be allocatedto rail funding so the project can be completed in a fiscally responsible way with a securefunding stream Ideally all of the necessary funds for completion and ongoing maintenance cancome from this dedicated funding which is paid for by visitors to Oahu
Finishing the rail will enable thousands of homes to be built along the rail corridor Withappropriate affordability restrictions and public support these homes can address the severeshortage of affordable housing here on Oahu A recent 2020 study prepared by PBR Hawaii forthe Hawaii Office of Planning estimates the addition of 50900 residential units around the EastKapolei Stadium and lwilei TOD areas alone1rsquo Although these homes will be built in phasesover the next 40 years it is clear that development around rail can substantially contribute to oursupply of affordable housing According to the 2019 Hawaii Housing Planning Study Oahu willneed an additional 22168 residential units by 2025 with half of the need for households withcombined incomes of $75000 or less
Rail is needed to alleviate traffic and provide walkable neighborhoodsAs Oahu plans for the future we should be focused on housing constructed in walkable urbanneighborhoods with easy access to amenities parks and transit To support the smartaffordable and sustainable growth that is needed we should be building around rail-but first wemust complete the rail Access to rail offers an alternative to driving is likely to reduce traffic for
1 July 2020 State Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning and Implementation Project for theisland of Dahu by PBR Hawaii for the Hawaii State Office of Planning Attachment C
communities along the Leeward Coast and wHI create a more equitable way to access theurban core of Honolulu
We strongly urge the council to pass Bill 40 and to continue to work towards creating acomprehensive affordable housing strategy for the residents of Oahu Completing the rail is vitalto enable housing construction but it will take further efforts to ensure that a majority of housingis reserved for local residents and stays affordable over time
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify
Kenna Stormogipsonkennahibudgetorg
October 5 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer And Council Members
Honolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accomodation Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members
I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transient accommodations tax forthe City and County of Honolulu In addition I respectfully request a portion of this generatedtax to be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project We all realize the pastchallenges of the rail project but now have a great opportunity to position HART for a successfulcompletion of the Rail system
With the new leadership at HART I am more confident than ever that we have the managementindustry tmst transparency technical expertise and action plan required to move this projectahead This dedicated funding source which will be shouldered by our tourist will allowconstruction to continue toward a successful completion for ALL of us This will also spurTransit Oriented Deveiopment around the system to help create housing and businessopportunities in our communities
Thank you for this opportunity to submit my support for Bill 40 and to generate an additionalrevenue source for HART
Respectfully
Dexter Kubota PEVice President
dkubota bowersandkubotacom
a a aareg
aqJrsquoJ1001 Bishop Street I Suite 625 I Honolulu HI 96213-28301-866-295-7282 I Fax 808-536-2882
bull aarporghi I aarphiaarporg I twittercomAARPHawaiI
H auva i I
Honolulu City CouncilOctober 6 2021 1000 am
TO The Honorable Tommy Waters ChairpersonRE Bill 40mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the Committee
My name is Kealirsquoi Lopez and I am the State Director for AARP Hawairsquoi AARP is a membershiporganization of people age fifty and over with nearly 145000 members in HawaiiAARP Hawaii supports Bill 40 which seeks to establish transient accommodations tax (TAT) forthe City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and facilitate thereceipt and deposit of the revenue derived
We respectfully wish to add our comment and support for a dedicated percentage of the TATthat will support the mass transit project Having an ongoing dedicated source of funding willhelp pay for mass transit project the ongoing operations and maintenance of the system afterconstruction has been completed and without the need to raise property taxes
AARP has been a strong proponent of an age-friendly community that includesbull Multi-modal forms of transportation for people of all ages Rail affords another
transportation option for Honolulu especially for seniors and those who cannot affordthe high costs of owning a vehicle
bull Transit Orient Developments (TaD) with affordable housings built within walking andbiking distance of major rail stations
Bill 40 provides an opportunity for the City to modernize and complete our transportationinfrastructure Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will help restore confidencewith the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) and could potentially unlock additionalfederal funding opportunities and other public sources to finish the project Thank you for theopportunity to testify in support of Bill 40
Sincerely
lsquos--rsquo hr
Kealirsquoi Lopez State Director
klopezaarporg
BIABUILDING INDUSTRY
A S SOC AT ION ana
TESTIMONY TO THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCILHONOLULU HALE
COUNCIL CHAMBERSOctober 6 2021
900 AM
Honorable Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Council
RE Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
My name is Daryl Takamiya Chair of the Government Relations Committee of the BuildingIndustry Association of Hawaii (BIA-HawaN) Chartered in 1955 the Building IndustryAssociation of Hawaii is a professional trade organization affiliated with the National Associationof Home Builders representing the building industry and its associates BIA-HawaH takes aleadership role in unifying and promoting the interests of the industry to enhance the quality oflife for the people of Hawah Our members build the communities we all call home
BIA-Hawaii is in support of Bill 40 which would establish a transient accommodations tax for theCity and County of Honolulu specifically the portion of the bill that would provide for a depositinto the established transit fund
BIA-Hawaii continues to support the transit system on the island of Oahu because it willincrease the availability of housing as transit-oriented development communities are built Thelack of affordable housing and other quality of life issues continue to plague our communitiesImproving transportation will only help to alleviate these issues and without a completed railproject affordable housing goals will not be met Bill 40 will be an important component toensure that the transit system is brought to successful completion
We appreciate the opportunity to express our views on Sill 40
Stefanie Y Sakamotostefsakamotoconsultingcom
tamp 006-629-7501 94-487 Akoki St Ste 213 wwwbiahawakorg
fax 808-629-7701 Waipahu HI 9679 infobiahawaiiorg
From CLK Council Into
Sent Tuesday October 5 2021 657 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Stanford Masui
Phone
Email standamanniasuigmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-202 1
CouncilPHBudgetCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40
YOLIE positionOppose
on the matter
Representing Organization
Organization RAILSOS (Study Other Solutions)
Chairman Waters and members of the councilOur organization opposes this bill as written1 It assumes that a portion of the TAT will be set aside for a transit fund for the rail Thisassumption should not he made without a vigorous discussion as whether funds should hesiphoned off for a project that is no longer financially viable To put it bluntly why ldquothrowgood money after badrdquo
2 The rail is at an inflection point as to whether it should he constructed beyond its currentendpoint at Middle St or further intensive study as to viable alternatives rather thancontinuing on to Ala Moana at a prohibitive cost Past VIA administrators have urged the cityto consider modification of its plans a clear signal that additional funding may not beforthcoming
Wutten3 Transit Oriented Development is a myth Most of the buildina of condos in the KapiolaniTestimony -corridor were planned without any consideration of the rail route This is amply demonstratedby the fact that while HART struggles to come up with a funding plan and completion to AlaMoana is questionable developers are proceeding to build The numbers and actual cost ofaffordable housing in these condos are still too expensive for most people to afford Only onemajor project currently is in Ewa and that was planned years before the rail was developed
4 There are urgent issues that require immediate and priority funding homelessness and themental health system police fire and emergency services funding road and highwayimprovement and cleanup and improvement of tourist recreational areas such as parks andbeaches
5 Rather than triggering economic growth the public will be saddled with enormous debt bythe borrowed funding and operational expense estimated variously at present at $120- $150
million per year Electricity costs will cause operational expense to double This project couldbankrupt the city
6 HART should develop a funding or recovery plan before it comes to the council for aportion of TAT revenues
7 The final Environmental Impact Statement indicates only a minimal effect in alleviatingtraffic congestion which is the major argument in favor of funding the rail- The motoringpublic will not see any improvement in driving times and the studies were made years agoand are no longer reliable
The Council is urged to delete any provision that funds the rail in favor of funding otherurgent prioritiesThank you for your consideration
Te stin]on yAttachment
Accept TermsI
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 730 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Leslie M Inouye
Phone
Email Iinouyel4gmai1com
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHBuddeget
Committee
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position onOppose
the matter
Representing Self
Organization
Chairman Waters and City Council I and many others who have only recently becomeaware of Bill 40 must oppose the the use of the TAT to help fund rail It seems there are any
Writtennumber of backdoor plans to find the funds for rail despite the ongoing litany of items thateither have no clear fix andor no specific bottom line At some point you must realize thatTestimony
the rail is not a sustainable to use the popular contemporary term project and to continuepursuing this immense burden portends financial ruin for all of us Please let common senserule your decisions
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IF 19216820067
1
1 PETER A GANABANbull Business Manager
ampcretarj- Treasure
ALFONSO OlIVERPesident
JOBY NORTh IIlice President
TONI FIG(ERO4Recording Secretary
JAMES DRLrsquoMGOLD JRExecutiye Bd
ORLANDO PAESTEExecutive Board
JOSFIrsquoK jAWEsecutiw Board
ESTIIERAILA4udaor
RUSSELl NAPIIIA-4Auditor
SI lsquoIRK TRAVALINO4uJior
MAITINARAN4YDOamprgearn-dt-Arms
LIUNA Local 3681617 Palarna StreetHonolulu HI 96817
Phone (808) 841-5877Fax (808)847-7829
wiwIocaI368org
LiUNA
TESTIMONY OF THE HAWAII LABORERSrsquo UNION LOCAL 358
Honolulu City CouncilCouncil Meeting
Wednesday October 6 20211000 AM
RE Bill 40(2021) mdash RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATION TAX(TAT)
Chair Waters Vice-chair Kiarsquoaina and Council Members
The Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 and its 5000 working and retired men andwomen across the state of Hawaii stand in strong support of Bill 40(2021) whichestablishes a transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) for the City and Countyof Honolulu
The TAT funding proposed in Bill 40 would allow the City and County of Honoluluto maintain and preserve our island while mitigating the impacts of our naturalresources while also building new and existing infrastructure - including theHonolulu Rail Project This proposed measure would help generate much neededrevenue while having our island visitors help in sharing the cost
Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 respectfully requests that the council takefavorable action on this measure and support Bill 40
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony
Shingayi MasiyaGovernment Relations Director
Feel the Power
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 754 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Paul Yonamine
PhoneEmail paulyonaminecpbbank
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncil
Committee
Agenda Item Testimony and Support for Bill 40Your position
Supporton the mailer
Representing Self
Organization
Testimony and Support for Bill 40
I am Paul Yonamine Executive Chairman of Central Pacific Bank andI am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transientaccommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of thisamount I would respectfully request that a portion be set aside for thecompletion of the Honolulu rail project This new revenue source atourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both ofwhom will use and ride a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steadypace Work on utility relocation also continues Work either out to bidor ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficult section of
Written Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and aTestimony dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of a
system that wilt transform Oahu - Westside families will have theoption to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending anhourdivide in traffic Transit-oriented developments (TOD) to includeaffordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances
Rail and TOD represents the single most important economic driverfor the City and County of Honolulu and the state of Hawaii It alsopresents an invaluable opportunity for more affordable housingdevelopment for generations to come Donrsquot stop and impedeprogress of rail because of past project mismanagement We shouldmake sure the project is fully funded and that capable projectmanagers are hired positioned and empowered to complete thisproject
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support andlook forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 824 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Michael KamakaPhone
Email mkamakabowersandkubotacomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40 - Transient Accommodations TaxYour position
Supporton the matterRepresenting SelfOrganization
October 6 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer and Council MembersHonolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Sill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodation TaxDear Chair Waters and MembersPlease accept this written testimony of my support of Bill 40 toestablish a transient accommodations tax for the City and County ofHonolulu Under Sill 40
Written I believe a transient accommodations tax collects the fair and equitableTestimony amount from visitors who enjoy our City and County of Honolulu today
and in the future The tax will provide funding to mitigate impacts ofvisitors by providing money to support the restoration and maintenanceof public facilitiesAs part of the mitigation to the impacts of visitors I respectfully requesta portion of this transient accommodations tax be set aside to supportthe completion of the Honolulu rail project A rail system will helpmitigate the impacts by visitors in the Honolulu area by providing acleaner alternative of transportation thereby minimizing pollutantscaused by vehicle traffic and congestionAlthough there has been fiscal schedule and constructabilitychallenges there is a renewed hope and optimism for the completionof the rail system A renewable source of funding is the opportunity toposition HART for a successful completion of the rail system With new
1
leadership at HART I am confident HART has the people industrytrust transparency technical expertise and viable action plan neededto move this project ahead Funding through a portion of the transientaccommodation tax will provide a sustainable and dedicated fundingsource to allow construction to continueThank you for allowing me this opportunity to submit my support for Bill40Respectfully
Michael Kamaka PE Principal
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
TO Members of the Honolulu City Council
FROM Natalie Iwasa CPA CFE808-395-3233
DATE Wednesday October 6 2021
SUBJECT Bill 40 Transient Accommodations Tax - OPPOSED
Aloha Chair Waters and Councilmembers
Thank you for allowing testimonyrsquo on Bill 40 which would implement atransient accommodations tax (TAT) at the county level and assign certaincurrently unspecified amounts to the general fund the transit fund (for railconstruction) and a new special fund I oppose this bill for several reasonsand am testifying in my individual capacity
TAT Related to the Transit Fund
No additional funding should go to rail for the following reasons
bull The financial plan has not yet been updated and the recovery planlsquohch will include an updated financia Han isnrsquot due tinti] enrv nextyear
bull There has been no public discussion of the 25+ alternative ideas thatwere discussed by HART staff earlier this year
bull The current shortfall for rail construction has been estimated at gt S3billion If the city provided 5100 millionyear from the TAT for railconstruction it would take 30 years to pay off the current shortfallexcluding additional financing costs
bull HART still has no internal audit function and the Internal AuditCommittee of the HART board that was recently added to the approvedboard rules is on hold
bull There is no tip hotline or fraud policy
It would be irresponsible for crnmcilmembers to approve any additionalfunding for rail construction until these matters are taken care of
Natalie IwasaBill 40 TATPage 2
Special Fund
According to Chapter 6 of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu we alreadyhave 50 special or revolving funds Please clean up what is already there beforeadding any new funds
Administration
Sec 8A-19 Rent collection by third party includes a requirement that a copy ofthe first page of the rental agreement or IRS Form 1099 and certain otherdocuments must be filed with the city Renta agreements may include privatepersonal information about tenants I therefore oppose the requirement toprovide this information to the city
In addition the Form 1099 may include a landlordrsquos social security number Ioppose the requirement to provide this to the city These requirements go toofar in an attempt to enforce a county TAT
Sec 8A-1 13(a) (1) Application of tax indicates that any rental for less than 180consecutive days is presumed to be for a transient purpose This presumptiondoes not take into consideration the fact that locals may need to rent for lesstHu 180 days for various reasons I therefore oppose this sectinn
MARRIOTTVACATIONS
WORLDWIDESM
October 5 2021
TO Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairMembers of the Honolulu City Council
FR Denis Ebrill Marriott Vacations Worldwide CorporationRE Comments on Bill 40 Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
Aloha Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiarsquoaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Thank you for allowing me to submit testimony on behalf of Marriott Vacations WorldwideCorporation (ldquoMVWCrdquo) providing Comments and Amendments to Bill 40 establishing atransient accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu MVVC is a global leader inthe timeshare industry with ten resort properties in Hawaii Timeshare resorts are an important andstabilizing part of the tourism industry and resort development provides thousands of constructionjobs in Hawaii per year
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (ldquoCountyTATrdquo) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gross rental proceeds derivedfrom the furnishing of transient accommodations Every transient accommodation broker travelagency and tour packager that arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shallpay the County TAT Further every time share vacation plan must be represented by a planmanager Pursuant to Section 7 the new Count TAT is considered Levied on the effective date ofBill 40
MVWC understands the Countyrsquos intentions in establishing the County TAT however wehave concerns with the implementation of the additional 3 percent increase Implementing theCounty 1rsquoAT upon approval puts hotel operators at a disadvantage Essentially this would meanthat the Count TAT would be retroactively applicable to reservations made on the effective dateeven though the bill has not been signed by the Mayor Furthermore hotel operators will notbe able to 1) disclose the new tax to guests in advance and 2) adjust booking systems and rentalagreements to collect the new tax from guests after the County TAT has been officially establishedAdditionally timeshare resorts will need to update their Hawaii disclosure statements and file withthe Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (ldquoDCCArdquo)
Accordingly MVWC respectfully requests the County TAT not be levied until at aminimum not earlier than 30 days after Bill 40rsquos approval to allow 1) appropriate notice to begiven to travel partners that the law has been signed 2) booking systems to be updated with thenew County TAT and 3) rental agreements to be modified with the new requiredlanguage Furthermore an additional 30 days provides resorts an adequate amount of time toprovide proper notice to guests update disclosure statements with DCCA and coordinate withthird party booking platforms to accommodate new tax
9002 San Marco Court Orlando Florida 32819 T 407-206-6000 F 407-206-6420 cornProud supporter of Childrenrsquos Miracle Network Hospitals
Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairOctober 52021Page 2
Moreover an additional 30 days after signing would be consistent with the timeframe ofprevious increases in TAT at the state level and recent implementation in other counties Typicallywhen the TAT was increased at the state level in the past the legislation would allow for severalmonths to enable the hotel industry to adjust internal booking systems to properly disclose andcharge for the increased rate Further Maui County recently passed their own county TAT with alevied date of November 12021 which will be approximately 30 days after it is signed into lawMaui County found the additional time to be a fair comprise to allow the hotel industry to accountfor the County TAT
Based upon the foregoing MVWC recommends the following amendments to Bill 40
1 Amend Section 7 to state ldquoThis ordinance takes effect upon its approval The transientaccommodations tax established by this ordinance is considered levied 30 days afterapprovalrdquo
Mahalo for your consideration of these amendments
Aloha
Dcnis EbrillSenior Vice PresidentMarriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation
Evan Cueqvimanaka-asatocpm
AQU AbullbullA S TO NH OS P I TA LIT V
October 52021
TO Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice ChairMembers of the Honolulu City Council
FR Aqua-Aston Hospitality
RE Comments on Bill 40 Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
Aloha Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiarsquoaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Thank you for allowing Aqua-Aston Hospitality LLC (ldquoAqua-Astonrdquo) to provideComments and Amendments to Bill 40 establishing a transient accommodations tax for the Cityand County of Honolulu Aqua-Aston has engaged in hotel and resort management in the state ofHawaii for over 75 years
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (ldquoCountyTATrdquo) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gloss rental proceeds derivedfrom the iltraishing of transient accommodations Ever transient accommodation broker travelagency and tour packager tat arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shallpay the County TAT Pursuant to Section 7 the new County TAT is considered levied on theeffective date of Bill 40
AquamdashAston understands the Countyrsquos intentions in establishing the County TAT inresponse to Act I Special Session Laws of Hawairsquo i which stripped the County of allocated StateTransient Accommodations Tax Nevertheless we have concerns with the implementation ofthe additional 3 percent increase Having the County TAT levied upon approval puts hoteloperators at a disadvantage Hotel operators 1) will not be able to disclose the County TAT toguests who have already booked in advance of or on the effective date nor 2) sufficient time toadjust booking systems and rental agreements to enable them to collect the County TAT on theeffective date Similarly the County TAT would be retroactively applicable to reservations madeon the effective date even though the bill has not yet been signed by the Mayor
Aqua-Aston respectfully requests the County TAT be levied until at a minimum notearlier than 30 days after Bill 40rsquos approval to allow I) appropriate notice to be given to travelpartners 2) booking engines to be updated with the new County TAT and 3) rentalagreements to be modified with the new required language Furthermore an additional 30 daysprovides resorts an adequate amount of time to provide proper notice to guests and coordinate withthird party booking platforms to accommodate the Count)rsquo TAT
Office 820 MilHani St Ste 600 Honolulu HI 96813 T 803-931-1400MaiHrig Address 6649 Westwood Blvd Orlando FL 32821
Moreover an additional 30 days after signing would be consistent with the timeframe ofprevious increases in TAT at the state level and recent implementation in other counties Typicallywhen the TAT was increased at the state level in the past the legislation would allow for severalmonths to enable the hotel industry to adjust internal booking systems to properly disclose andcharge for the increased rate Further Maui County recently passed their own county TAT with alevied date of November 1 202L which will be approximately 30 days after it is signed into lawMaui County found the additional time to be a fair compromise to allow the hotel industry toaccount for the County TAT
Accordingly Aqua-Aston recommends the following amendment to Bill 40
1 Amend Section 7 to state ldquoThis ordinance takes effect upon its approval The transientaccommodations tax established by this ordinance is considered levied 30 days afterapprovalrdquo
Mahalo for your consideration of these amendments
Respectfully submitted
Denis EbrillAqua Aston Hospitality LLC Managing Director
Evan Dueeouecjmanaka-asatocorn
Office 820 Mililani St Ste 600 Honolulu HI 96813 1808-931-1400Mailing Address 6649 Westwood Blvd Orlando FL 32821
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 1047 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Evan CuePhone
Email eoueimanaka-asatocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40Your position on the
Commentmatter
Representing Organization
Organization ARDA Hawaii
Please find attached ARDA Hawaiirsquos Testimony providingWritten Testimonycomments on Bill 40
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and1Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
1
October 5 2021
TO Councilmember Tommy Waters Chair
Councilmember Esther Kiaaina Vice- Chair
Members of the Honolulu City Council
FR AMERICAN RESORT DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION ndash HAWAII (ARDA Hawaii)
RE Comments on Bill 40 (Bill 40) RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT
ACCOMMODATIONS TAX (ESTABLISHING A TRANSIENT
ACCOMMODATIONS TAX FOR THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU
PROVIDE FOR ITS IMPOSITION AND DISPOSITION AND FACILITATE THE
RECEIPT AND DEPOSIT OF THE REVENUES DERIVED FROM THE TRANSIENT
ACCOMMODATIONS TAX)
Aloha Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Thank you for allowing ARDA Hawaii to submit testimony providing Comments and
Amendments to Bill 40 establishing a transient accommodations tax for the City and County of
Honolulu ARDA Hawaii is the local chapter of the trade association for the timeshare industry
Timeshare is an important and stabilizing part of the tourism industry and Honolulus economy
Timeshare owners have made a long-term commitment to Honolulu by purchasing and owning
real property in the County These owners are consistent and dependable visitors who bring
substantial tax dollars and continue to come even during periods of economic downturn
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (County
TAT) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gross rental proceeds derived
from the furnishing of transient accommodations Every transient accommodation broker travel
agency and tour packager that arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shall
pay the County TAT Further every time share vacation plan must be represented by a plan
manager Pursuant to Section 7 the new County TAT is considered levied on the effective date of
Bill 40
ARDA Hawaii understands the need for the County to establish the County TAT
however we have concerns with the timing of the application of the additional 3 percent
increase Having the County TAT levied upon approval puts hotel operators at a disadvantage
Essentially this would mean that the County TAT would be retroactively applicable to
2
reservations made on the effective date even though the bill has not been signed by the Mayor
Furthermore hotel operators will not be able to 1) disclose the new tax to guests in advance and
2) adjust booking systems and rental agreements to collect the new tax from guests after the
County TAT has been officially established In turn operators will need to pay for the County
TAT themselves for reservations on the effective date
Moreover timeshare resorts will need to update their Hawaii disclosure statements and
file with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) This is often a time-
consuming process requiring approval from the DCCA Having Bill 40 be levied upon approval
will lead to inadequate disclosure to customers Imposing the County TAT in this manner will
make it impossible for developers and operators to provide full and fair disclosure to buyers
owners and other occupants
Accordingly ARDA Hawaii respectfully requests the County TAT be levied at a
minimum not earlier than 30 days after Bill 40s approval to allow 1) appropriate notice to be
given to travel partners that the law has been signed 2) hotel operators to charge for the
County TAT that is officially passed 3) booking engines to be updated with the new County
TAT and 4) rental agreements to be modified with the new required language Further the any
additional time will provide developers and timeshare operators time to update disclosure
statements with DCCA and provide consumers with full and fair disclosure
Specifically ARDA Hawaii recommends the following amendment to Bill 40
1 Amend Section 7 to state This ordinance takes effect upon its approval The transient
accommodations tax established by this ordinance is considered levied 30 days after
approval
Mahalo for your consideration of our comments We look forward to working with the
Council on implementing a policy that will enhance the ability of developers and operators to
comply with the new existing laws and requirements that compel fair and full disclosure of the
County TAT to consumers
Respectfully Submitted
Mitchell A Imanaka
Chair
American Resort Development Association of Hawaii
HAWAII OPERATING ENGINEERSINDusTRY STABILIZATION FuND
(ccedilg) 1
lsquoheftzc cqr ltnagth ant orkrn ngctaer(a a Ut
October 5 2021
Honorable Tommy Waters Honolulu City Council ChairHonorable Esther Kiarsquoaacuteina Honolulu City Council Vice ChairHonorable Members of the Honolulu City Council
RE Bill 40(2021) Relating to the transient accommodations tax (Establishing a transient
accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and
facilitate the receipt and deposit of the revenues derived from the transient accommodations tax)
Chair Waters
My name is Pane Meatoga Ill and I am the Community Liaison representing the Hawaii OperatingEngineers Industry Stabilization Fund (HOEISF) We are a labor management fund representing 3000unionized members in heavy engineering site work and 500 general contractors specializing in heavy siteand vertical construction Our organization would like to offer our written testimony in support of Bill40(2021)
Construction of the rait guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utility relocationalso continues Currently construction work has either been bid out or is ready to start the bidingprocess and design work is ongoing for the most difficult section of Dillingham Boulevard We aregetting closer to the finish line and members of Operating Engineers Local 3 and other trade unions arehard at work making this project a reality
We believe a dedicated local revenue source that is not from real property taxes will allow for thecompleUon of a rail system that lsquoArsquoill transform Oahu for the benefit of future generations A fixedpercentage of the Cityrsquos Transient Accommodation Tax (TAT) dedicated to rail is exactly what the countyneeds now to continue this project We recommend that the Honolulu City Council consider allocatinga percentage of the Countyrsquos TAT to the Honolulu Rail Project
We appreciate the Honolulu City Council taking up this bill We look forward to Bill 40 progressingthrough the legislative process and we look forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
Sincerely
Pane Meatoga IllHawaii Operating Engineers Industry Stabilization Fund
pnceuroh pciLccrn
DUHO1IFONjasorsca4 ampuatildeder
HAWAII
October 52021
Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairMembers of the Honolulu City Council
RE Comments on Bill 40 (ldquoBill 40rdquo) Rclating to the Transient Accommodations TaxHearing date Wednesday October 6 2021 at 1000 AM
Aloha Chair Waters Vicc Chair Kiarsquoaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Mahalo for the opportunity to submit testimony on behalf of DR Horton Hawaii LLC(ldquoDR Hortonrdquo) in Support of Bill 40 relating to the transient accommodations tax DR Hortonis one of Hawaiirsquos largest home builders and has been providing affordable housing and first-timebuyer homes for Hawaiirsquos families throughout Oahu for nearly fifty years
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (ldquoCountyTATrdquo) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gross rental proceeds derivedfrom the furnishing of transient accommodations Every transient accommodation broker travelagency and tour packagDr that arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shallpay the County TAT Additionally Bill 40 allocates percentages of the tax revenue generated bythe County TAT into I) the general fund 2) the transit fund established under Chapter 6 Article61 and 3) a special account in the general fund specifically used to mitigate the impacts of visitorson public facilities including the restoration and maintenance of beaches and parks
Prinarily DR Horton supports an allocation of the County TAT to be dedicated tofunding the rail project We favor a fixed allocation of funding that will enable the city to finishand maintain the project in a fiscally responsible way allowing the rail project to be completedwithout raising property taxes or endangering the Countyrsquos bond rating Furthermore funding therail project will restore confidence with the FTA and potentially unlock much needed federalfunding
Additionally the completion of the rail project will directly influence the creation of asignificant inventory of much needed affordable housing Completing the rail project willincentivize transit oriented development around the downtown and Ala Moana rail stationsprojected to create an additional 11600 housing units Failing to complete the rail project will putus that much further behind the curve in reaching our collective affordable housing goals
Dahu Maui Hawaii Island Kauai
130 Merchant Street Suite 112 Honolulu Hawaii 96813 8085215661
wwwdrhortoncomhawaii
Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairOctober 52021Page 2
Finally completion of the rail has the added benefit of decreasing our dependance onimported oil and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging multi-modal forms oftransportation that are both walkable and bikeable consistent with the Cityrsquos long term planninggoals Further the completion of the rail project will create a much needed connection betweenmaster planned communities in Ewa and downtown Honolulu enhancing the quality life forfamilies living in West Oahu
In summary DR Horton supports Bill 40 and the proposed allocations Mahalo for yourtime and consideration It is very much appreciated Should you have any questions please donot hesitate to contact me at 808-782-4109 or ttonakicdrhortoneom
Sincerely
9KTracy TonakiSenior Vice President
Evan Quoeoueirnanaka-asatoeom
1065 Ahua StreetHonolulu H 96819Phone 808-833-1681 FAX 839-4167Email jfbullfccedileaIigcaQia (iINERAI (lsquo()NrIAuIORS ASSOCIATION OF I IAWAIIWebsite wwwgcahawoiiore
Quality People Quality Projects
October 162021
Councilman Tommy Waters ChairMembers of the City CouncilCity amp County of the Honolulu CityHonolulu HI 96813
Re Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the City Council
The General Contractors Association of Hawaii (GCA) is an organization comprised ofapproximately five hundred (500) general contractors subcontractors and construction relatedfirms The GCA was established in 1932 and is the largest construction association in the Stateof Hawaii Our mission is to elevate Hawaiirsquos construction industry and strengthen thefoundation of our community
GCA is in STRONG SUPPORT of Bill 40 which establishes a transient accommodations taxfor the City and County of Honolulu
Of this amount we respectfully request that a portion be set aside for the completion of theI lonolulu rail project This new revenue source a tourist tax comes from our visitors rather thanour residents both of whom will use and ridc a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utilityrelocation also continues A dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of asystem that will transform Oahu Westsidc families will have the option to ride the rail to workand school rather than spending an hour-4- in traffic
Further transit-oriented developments include affordable units along the route This will helpaddress our housing shortage asll600 housing units along the downtown and Ala Moana railstations will be completed as a result of the TOD planning This creates multi-modals form oftransportation that allow for walkable bikeable communities and safe streets for families
Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony in support of Bill 40
Ryan Sakuda
ryan(gcahawaiiorg
-4rsquo
a4714rdquo t014 5n
Testimony by Harry SaundersPresident Castle amp Cooke Hawairsquoi
October 5 2021
City and County of Honolulu City CouncilRegarding
BILL 40 (2021)RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS TAX
SUPPORT WITH COMMENTS
Chair amp Presiding Officer Tommy Waters Vice Chair Esther Kiarsquoaumlina and Members of the City Council
I am Harry Saunders Presidcnt of Castle amp Cookc Hawairsquoi Thank you for the opportunity to submittcstimony regarding Bill 40 (2021)
Castic amp Cooke Hawairsquoi supports the intent of Bill 40 that will dedicate a portion of the transientaccommodations tax into a transportation fund It is critical that this bill have a fixed percentage of thetransient accommodations tax dedicated towards the funding of the rail so the city can finish the projectin a fiscally responsible way without raising property taxes and endangering our cityrsquos bond rating
Allocating a fixed percentage of the transient accommodations tax to fund the rail transit project will havelong temi benefits to visitors and kamarsquoaina alike
Rail will provide multi-modal opportunities giving residents transportation options It will help reducethe dependence on vehicles and its requisite imported oils with overall benefits to the health of ourenvironment Rail will reduce commute times for residents living in outlying communities The timethey gain back will enhance their quality of life
It also provides housing and redevelopment opportunities to communities With this redevelopmentcomes affordable housing Affordable housing planned in Transit Oriented Development for thedowntown and Ala Moana rail stations is a combined 11600 housing units
Allocating a fixed percentage of the TAT funding to Rail will pay for the ongoing operations andmaintenance of the system after construction has been completed again without the need to raiseproperty taxes
Mahalo for your consideration of my testimony Should you have any questions please feel free tocontact us
Harry Saunders Garret MatsunamiPresident Vice President Residential OperationsCastle amp Cooke Hawairsquoi Castle amp Cooke Hawairsquoifsakai(i2eastlecookeeom gmatsunamicastlecookecomPhone 548-4884 Phone 626-3625llcQmacastIecookecom
680 Iwilei Road Box 510 Honolulu Hawaii 96817Phone (808) 548-4811 Fax (808) 548-6690
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 110 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mufi HannemannPhoneEmail mhannemanncopyhawaBlodgingorgMeeting Date 10-06-2021CouncilPH
CouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40Your position
Commenton the matter
Representing Organization
Organization Hawairsquoi Lodging amp Tourism AssociationTestimony ofMufi HannemannPresident amp CEOHawaii Lodging amp Tourism Association
Honolulu City CouncilBill 40 (2021)October 6 2021
Chair Waters and members of the Honolulu City Council mahalo forthe opportunity to submit testimony on behalf of the Hawaii Lodging ampTourism Association the statersquos largest private sector visitor industryorganization
WrittenTestimony The Hawaii Lodging amp Tourism Associationmdashnearly 700 members
strong representing more than 50000 hotel rooms and nearly 40000lodging workersmdashstrongly opposed the passage of House Bill 862which among myriad other issues stripped the State TransientAccommodations Tax (TAT) allocation to the counties and allowed forup to an additional three percent surcharge to be levied on lodgingproperties The surcharge proposed by this measure represents a 29increase to the TAT that comes at a highly inopportune time for anindustry that has been drastically affected by the pandemic and travelrestrictions However with the veto override by the Legislature andthe ultimate passage of HB 862 we recognize the financial position inwhich the City amp County of Honolulu finds itself and the need todeliberate on the introduced bill As the latest version of Bill 40 (2020)does not stipulate the percentages by which the collected tax monies
will be divided between the general fund transit fund and theunnamed visitor impact fund we would like to provide comments onthe proposed measure at this time
As the vast majority of monies raised by the TATmdashand the new threepercent surchargemdashwill undoubtedly come from the pockets of visitorsit is our position that the lionrsquos share of these funds should be utilizedto address tourism related needs and the impacts created by travelersto Hawaii The opportunities in this regard are seemingly endless andcould include more routine county tasks such as road refinishing andupdates to our infrastructure but should also be used on projects moredirectly associated with tourism impacts like trail management beachand park maintenance additional support for first responders and theprovision of adequate public safety staffing at beaches and other Cityinstallations
We are all aware of the discussions currently happening in thecommunity that focus upon tourism its impact on our naturalresources and communities and the significant role it plays in oureconomy Anti-tourism sentiments are at an all-time high and both thetourism industry and the community are working to strike a finebalance that suits both residents and visitors to our home Relegatinga significant portion of funds generated by the surcharge to the tourismimpact fund would ensure that the City is appropriately addressing thevarious issues surrounding tourism with visitor dollars and would maketransparency in the process that much more likely The HawaiiTourism Authorityrsquos Destination Management Action Plan processmdashwhich aims to better manage tourism for our entire statemdashhas beencompleted for Oahu and this would be an ideal jumping off point tobegin discussion of how surcharge funds are utilized for some of theirpriorities Finally we would also like to better understand who willoversee the special tourism impact fund and ensure that said funds willbe used for their intended purposes through a transparent process
We look forward to a robust public discourse on this measure andthank you for the opportunity to provide these comments
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
Mobi[e 8084288717
c EmaH indascFarzschtzcoIlabortvecoin- lsquo- 5chatzcohaboratvecomcollaborative
October 5 2021
Via email to Honolulu City Council
SUBJECT Bill 40(2021) mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations TaxCouncil Meeting October 6 2021 1000am
Dear Council Members
I am submitting written testimony to offer comments to Bill 40
This bill must have a fixed percentage of the TAT dedicated to funding the rail to avoidraising property taxes or jeopardizing our bond rating
Irsquove been a housing advocate and developer for the last 20 years and have supported effortsto create multi-modal neighborhoods in the primary urban core If a fixed percentage of atleast half of the TAT to the county goes to rail construction operations and rail focusedactivities such as TOD it will help create ripe conditions for housing redevelopment andwalkable communities Rail is also a catalyst to begin the efforts to bring back sociallyequitable planning efforts to disadvantaged neighborhoods on Dahu Without a dedicatedsource of funding we lose so much more in terms of equitable opportunities for Oahursquoscommunity and future generations
Thank you again for the opportunity to submit this testimony If there are any questions or ifadditional information is needed please do not hesitate to contact me at (808)428-8717
Warmest Regards
Linda Schatz
Principal
HAWAII REGIONAL COUNCIL OF
CARPENTERS
October 6 2021
City Council
City amp County of Honolulu
Councilmember Tommy Waters Chair
Councilmember Esther Kiarsquoatildeina Vice Chair
Statement of the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters mdash SUPPORT for Bill 40 (2021)mdashRelating to thetransient accommodations tax
Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiarsquoatildeina and Members of the Council
The Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters would like to offer their support for Bill 40 relating to thetransient accommodations tax
Specifically this bill must contain a fixed percentage of the TAT that is dedicated to funding for rail sothe city can finish the project in fiscally responsible way without the need to raise property taxes
Dedicating a percentage of the TAT will also pay for the ongoing operations and maintenance of thesystem after construction has been completed again without the need to raise property taxes
Modernizing our infrastructure is important piece of the Biden administrationrsquos plan to ldquoBuild BackBetterrdquo Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will restore confidence with the FTA andcould potentially unlock additional federal funding opportunities
The downtown and Ala Moana rail stations will have a combined 11600 housing units as a result of theTransit Orientated Development planning and without a completed Rail project TOD and our affordablehousing goals cannot be met
Mass transit will decrease our dependance on imported oil reduce our greenhouse gas emissions andallow for the creation of walkable bikeable communities and safe streets for families
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has studied the impact of public transportation systems and rail isassociated with reductions in several health risk factors such as motor vehicle crashes air pollution andphysical inactivity
STATE HEADQUARTERS amp BUSINESS OFFICESOAIIU 1311 Hoiighiailirig SEreetHonnlulu Hawaii 96S17rsquo2711 bull Ph (808) 847-5761 Fax (808) 440-9188
111W OFFICE 525 Kilauca Avenue Room 205 Fur Hawaii 967203050 bull Ph (808) 935-8575 lOx (808) 935-8576KONA OFFICE 75-126 Lunapule RoadKajlua-Kona Hawaii 96740-2106 bull Ph (808) 329-7355 Fax (808) 326-9376
MAUI OFFICE 330 Hookahi StreetWailuku Maui 96793-1449 bull Ph (808) 2426891 Fax (808) 242-5961IA[JAI OFFICE KuIjo Medical CEr Bldg3-3295 Kuhio HwySuiteZOiLihue Kauai 96766-1040 Ph(SO8) 245-8511 Fax (808) 245-8911
A completed rail system will afford greater transportation options for Honolulu especially for seniors
and those who cannot afford the high costs of owning a vehicle
And it will enhance the quality life for leeward families who spend hours in traffic each day
Mahalo for your consideration
Nathaniel KinneynRinncyhrcc-bwflccm
MOVEOAHUFORWARD
October 6 2021
Chairman Tommy Waters and members of the Honolulu City Council
Aloha my name is Jennifer Sabas and I serve as the Executive Director of Move Oahu Forward a nonprofit organization supporting the Honolulu rail project as an integral part of a robust publictransportation system on Oahu I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish atransient accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of this amount I wouldrespectfully request that a portion be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project Thisnew revenue source a tourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both of whosewill ride the finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utility relocationalso continues Work either out to bid or ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficultsection of Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and a dedicated localrevenue source will allow for the completion of a system that will transform Oahu - Westside familieswill have the option to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending an hour+ in trafficTransit-oriented developments to include affordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances for many Oahu families
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support and look forward to a rigorousdebate and discussion in the months ahead
Aloha
Jennifer SabasExecutive DirectorMove Oahu ForwardP0 Box 1329Honolulu HI 96807
jennifermoveoahuforwardorg
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 353 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Nelisa Asato
Phone
Email nasatomatsoncomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee CouncilAgenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter SupportRepresenting Organization
Organization Matson Navigation Company IncWritten Testimony
Testimony AttachmentAccept Terms and Agreement 1
IP 19216820067
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 419 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Denise Boisvert
Phone
Email infofordeniseyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
YES I FULLY SUPPORT Bill 40 proposed by ChairWaters
Written Testimony All the requirements in the proposed bill are EXCELLENT
Mahalo to all for your kind consideration to more this billforward
Testimony Attachment
AcceptTerms and1
Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 418 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mary Kate Duggan
Phone
Email marykateelizabethduggangmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Resolution 21-234
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
Written Testimony
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and Agreement 1
lP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 423 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Kim Jorgensen
Phone
Email hawaiicondoyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on thematter
Support
Representing SelfOrganization
Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony on Bill 40 IWritten Testimonyfully SUPPORT it
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and1Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
HAwAII STATE AFL-CIO888 Mililani Street Suite 501 bull Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Randy Perreira Telephone (808)597-1441President Fax (808) 593-2149
City CouncilCity and County of Honolulu
Testimony byHawairsquoi State AFL-CIO
October 6 2021
Testimony in SUPPORT of Bill 40 Relating tothe Transient Accommodations Tax
The Hawairsquoi State AFL-CIO is a state federation of 74 affiliate local unions and councils with over68000 members across both public and private sectors We appreciate the opportunity to testify insupport of Bill 40
Of all counties in the state swift measures must be taken to mitigate the negative impact overtourismhas on Honolulursquos infrastructure Traffic congestion in Honolulu is exacerbated by the visitorindustry Establishing a three percent transient accommodations tax is key to generating the revenueneeded to invest in Orsquoahursquos public transportation system The Honolulu Rail Transit Project is apublic good that will benefit 0rsquo ahu workers residents and visitors alike by providing a publictransportation option that complements The Bus and further relieves traffic congestion where it ismost needed
We appreciate your consideration of our testimony in support of Bill 40 and strongly urge you to passthis bill
ectfullysnitted
Randy PerreiraPresident
Dion DizonQfbwtcio org
HAWAII APPLESEEDCENTER FOR LAW amp ECONOMIC JUSTTCE
Testimony of the Hawairsquoi Appleseed Center for Law and Economic JusticeSUPPORT mdash Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
City and County of HonoluluWednesday October 6 2021 10AM
Aloha Chair Waters and Councilmembers
We at Hawaii Appleseed strongly support Bill 40 and efforts to use TAT funds to complete therail project as it will dramatically increase the housing stock in TOD areas and create efficientand equitable access to transit To support the affordable housing that Oahu desperately needswe must finish the rail and provide the subsidies needed to ensure that housing is prioritized forlocal residents and stays affordable over the long-term
In addition we urge the council to provide that a fixed percentage of the TAT be allocatedto rail funding so the project can be completed in a fiscally responsible way with a securefunding stream Ideally all of the necessary funds for completion and ongoing maintenance cancome from this dedicated funding which is paid for by visitors to Oahu
Finishing the rail will enable thousands of homes to be built along the rail corridor Withappropriate affordability restrictions and public support these homes can address the severeshortage of affordable housing here on Oahu A recent 2020 study prepared by PBR Hawaii forthe Hawaii Office of Planning estimates the addition of 50900 residential units around the EastKapolei Stadium and lwilei TOD areas alone1rsquo Although these homes will be built in phasesover the next 40 years it is clear that development around rail can substantially contribute to oursupply of affordable housing According to the 2019 Hawaii Housing Planning Study Oahu willneed an additional 22168 residential units by 2025 with half of the need for households withcombined incomes of $75000 or less
Rail is needed to alleviate traffic and provide walkable neighborhoodsAs Oahu plans for the future we should be focused on housing constructed in walkable urbanneighborhoods with easy access to amenities parks and transit To support the smartaffordable and sustainable growth that is needed we should be building around rail-but first wemust complete the rail Access to rail offers an alternative to driving is likely to reduce traffic for
1 July 2020 State Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning and Implementation Project for theisland of Dahu by PBR Hawaii for the Hawaii State Office of Planning Attachment C
communities along the Leeward Coast and wHI create a more equitable way to access theurban core of Honolulu
We strongly urge the council to pass Bill 40 and to continue to work towards creating acomprehensive affordable housing strategy for the residents of Oahu Completing the rail is vitalto enable housing construction but it will take further efforts to ensure that a majority of housingis reserved for local residents and stays affordable over time
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify
Kenna Stormogipsonkennahibudgetorg
October 5 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer And Council Members
Honolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accomodation Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members
I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transient accommodations tax forthe City and County of Honolulu In addition I respectfully request a portion of this generatedtax to be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project We all realize the pastchallenges of the rail project but now have a great opportunity to position HART for a successfulcompletion of the Rail system
With the new leadership at HART I am more confident than ever that we have the managementindustry tmst transparency technical expertise and action plan required to move this projectahead This dedicated funding source which will be shouldered by our tourist will allowconstruction to continue toward a successful completion for ALL of us This will also spurTransit Oriented Deveiopment around the system to help create housing and businessopportunities in our communities
Thank you for this opportunity to submit my support for Bill 40 and to generate an additionalrevenue source for HART
Respectfully
Dexter Kubota PEVice President
dkubota bowersandkubotacom
a a aareg
aqJrsquoJ1001 Bishop Street I Suite 625 I Honolulu HI 96213-28301-866-295-7282 I Fax 808-536-2882
bull aarporghi I aarphiaarporg I twittercomAARPHawaiI
H auva i I
Honolulu City CouncilOctober 6 2021 1000 am
TO The Honorable Tommy Waters ChairpersonRE Bill 40mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the Committee
My name is Kealirsquoi Lopez and I am the State Director for AARP Hawairsquoi AARP is a membershiporganization of people age fifty and over with nearly 145000 members in HawaiiAARP Hawaii supports Bill 40 which seeks to establish transient accommodations tax (TAT) forthe City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and facilitate thereceipt and deposit of the revenue derived
We respectfully wish to add our comment and support for a dedicated percentage of the TATthat will support the mass transit project Having an ongoing dedicated source of funding willhelp pay for mass transit project the ongoing operations and maintenance of the system afterconstruction has been completed and without the need to raise property taxes
AARP has been a strong proponent of an age-friendly community that includesbull Multi-modal forms of transportation for people of all ages Rail affords another
transportation option for Honolulu especially for seniors and those who cannot affordthe high costs of owning a vehicle
bull Transit Orient Developments (TaD) with affordable housings built within walking andbiking distance of major rail stations
Bill 40 provides an opportunity for the City to modernize and complete our transportationinfrastructure Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will help restore confidencewith the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) and could potentially unlock additionalfederal funding opportunities and other public sources to finish the project Thank you for theopportunity to testify in support of Bill 40
Sincerely
lsquos--rsquo hr
Kealirsquoi Lopez State Director
klopezaarporg
BIABUILDING INDUSTRY
A S SOC AT ION ana
TESTIMONY TO THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCILHONOLULU HALE
COUNCIL CHAMBERSOctober 6 2021
900 AM
Honorable Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Council
RE Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
My name is Daryl Takamiya Chair of the Government Relations Committee of the BuildingIndustry Association of Hawaii (BIA-HawaN) Chartered in 1955 the Building IndustryAssociation of Hawaii is a professional trade organization affiliated with the National Associationof Home Builders representing the building industry and its associates BIA-HawaH takes aleadership role in unifying and promoting the interests of the industry to enhance the quality oflife for the people of Hawah Our members build the communities we all call home
BIA-Hawaii is in support of Bill 40 which would establish a transient accommodations tax for theCity and County of Honolulu specifically the portion of the bill that would provide for a depositinto the established transit fund
BIA-Hawaii continues to support the transit system on the island of Oahu because it willincrease the availability of housing as transit-oriented development communities are built Thelack of affordable housing and other quality of life issues continue to plague our communitiesImproving transportation will only help to alleviate these issues and without a completed railproject affordable housing goals will not be met Bill 40 will be an important component toensure that the transit system is brought to successful completion
We appreciate the opportunity to express our views on Sill 40
Stefanie Y Sakamotostefsakamotoconsultingcom
tamp 006-629-7501 94-487 Akoki St Ste 213 wwwbiahawakorg
fax 808-629-7701 Waipahu HI 9679 infobiahawaiiorg
From CLK Council Into
Sent Tuesday October 5 2021 657 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Stanford Masui
Phone
Email standamanniasuigmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-202 1
CouncilPHBudgetCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40
YOLIE positionOppose
on the matter
Representing Organization
Organization RAILSOS (Study Other Solutions)
Chairman Waters and members of the councilOur organization opposes this bill as written1 It assumes that a portion of the TAT will be set aside for a transit fund for the rail Thisassumption should not he made without a vigorous discussion as whether funds should hesiphoned off for a project that is no longer financially viable To put it bluntly why ldquothrowgood money after badrdquo
2 The rail is at an inflection point as to whether it should he constructed beyond its currentendpoint at Middle St or further intensive study as to viable alternatives rather thancontinuing on to Ala Moana at a prohibitive cost Past VIA administrators have urged the cityto consider modification of its plans a clear signal that additional funding may not beforthcoming
Wutten3 Transit Oriented Development is a myth Most of the buildina of condos in the KapiolaniTestimony -corridor were planned without any consideration of the rail route This is amply demonstratedby the fact that while HART struggles to come up with a funding plan and completion to AlaMoana is questionable developers are proceeding to build The numbers and actual cost ofaffordable housing in these condos are still too expensive for most people to afford Only onemajor project currently is in Ewa and that was planned years before the rail was developed
4 There are urgent issues that require immediate and priority funding homelessness and themental health system police fire and emergency services funding road and highwayimprovement and cleanup and improvement of tourist recreational areas such as parks andbeaches
5 Rather than triggering economic growth the public will be saddled with enormous debt bythe borrowed funding and operational expense estimated variously at present at $120- $150
million per year Electricity costs will cause operational expense to double This project couldbankrupt the city
6 HART should develop a funding or recovery plan before it comes to the council for aportion of TAT revenues
7 The final Environmental Impact Statement indicates only a minimal effect in alleviatingtraffic congestion which is the major argument in favor of funding the rail- The motoringpublic will not see any improvement in driving times and the studies were made years agoand are no longer reliable
The Council is urged to delete any provision that funds the rail in favor of funding otherurgent prioritiesThank you for your consideration
Te stin]on yAttachment
Accept TermsI
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 730 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Leslie M Inouye
Phone
Email Iinouyel4gmai1com
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHBuddeget
Committee
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position onOppose
the matter
Representing Self
Organization
Chairman Waters and City Council I and many others who have only recently becomeaware of Bill 40 must oppose the the use of the TAT to help fund rail It seems there are any
Writtennumber of backdoor plans to find the funds for rail despite the ongoing litany of items thateither have no clear fix andor no specific bottom line At some point you must realize thatTestimony
the rail is not a sustainable to use the popular contemporary term project and to continuepursuing this immense burden portends financial ruin for all of us Please let common senserule your decisions
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IF 19216820067
1
1 PETER A GANABANbull Business Manager
ampcretarj- Treasure
ALFONSO OlIVERPesident
JOBY NORTh IIlice President
TONI FIG(ERO4Recording Secretary
JAMES DRLrsquoMGOLD JRExecutiye Bd
ORLANDO PAESTEExecutive Board
JOSFIrsquoK jAWEsecutiw Board
ESTIIERAILA4udaor
RUSSELl NAPIIIA-4Auditor
SI lsquoIRK TRAVALINO4uJior
MAITINARAN4YDOamprgearn-dt-Arms
LIUNA Local 3681617 Palarna StreetHonolulu HI 96817
Phone (808) 841-5877Fax (808)847-7829
wiwIocaI368org
LiUNA
TESTIMONY OF THE HAWAII LABORERSrsquo UNION LOCAL 358
Honolulu City CouncilCouncil Meeting
Wednesday October 6 20211000 AM
RE Bill 40(2021) mdash RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATION TAX(TAT)
Chair Waters Vice-chair Kiarsquoaina and Council Members
The Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 and its 5000 working and retired men andwomen across the state of Hawaii stand in strong support of Bill 40(2021) whichestablishes a transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) for the City and Countyof Honolulu
The TAT funding proposed in Bill 40 would allow the City and County of Honoluluto maintain and preserve our island while mitigating the impacts of our naturalresources while also building new and existing infrastructure - including theHonolulu Rail Project This proposed measure would help generate much neededrevenue while having our island visitors help in sharing the cost
Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 respectfully requests that the council takefavorable action on this measure and support Bill 40
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony
Shingayi MasiyaGovernment Relations Director
Feel the Power
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 754 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Paul Yonamine
PhoneEmail paulyonaminecpbbank
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncil
Committee
Agenda Item Testimony and Support for Bill 40Your position
Supporton the mailer
Representing Self
Organization
Testimony and Support for Bill 40
I am Paul Yonamine Executive Chairman of Central Pacific Bank andI am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transientaccommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of thisamount I would respectfully request that a portion be set aside for thecompletion of the Honolulu rail project This new revenue source atourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both ofwhom will use and ride a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steadypace Work on utility relocation also continues Work either out to bidor ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficult section of
Written Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and aTestimony dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of a
system that wilt transform Oahu - Westside families will have theoption to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending anhourdivide in traffic Transit-oriented developments (TOD) to includeaffordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances
Rail and TOD represents the single most important economic driverfor the City and County of Honolulu and the state of Hawaii It alsopresents an invaluable opportunity for more affordable housingdevelopment for generations to come Donrsquot stop and impedeprogress of rail because of past project mismanagement We shouldmake sure the project is fully funded and that capable projectmanagers are hired positioned and empowered to complete thisproject
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support andlook forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 824 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Michael KamakaPhone
Email mkamakabowersandkubotacomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40 - Transient Accommodations TaxYour position
Supporton the matterRepresenting SelfOrganization
October 6 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer and Council MembersHonolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Sill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodation TaxDear Chair Waters and MembersPlease accept this written testimony of my support of Bill 40 toestablish a transient accommodations tax for the City and County ofHonolulu Under Sill 40
Written I believe a transient accommodations tax collects the fair and equitableTestimony amount from visitors who enjoy our City and County of Honolulu today
and in the future The tax will provide funding to mitigate impacts ofvisitors by providing money to support the restoration and maintenanceof public facilitiesAs part of the mitigation to the impacts of visitors I respectfully requesta portion of this transient accommodations tax be set aside to supportthe completion of the Honolulu rail project A rail system will helpmitigate the impacts by visitors in the Honolulu area by providing acleaner alternative of transportation thereby minimizing pollutantscaused by vehicle traffic and congestionAlthough there has been fiscal schedule and constructabilitychallenges there is a renewed hope and optimism for the completionof the rail system A renewable source of funding is the opportunity toposition HART for a successful completion of the rail system With new
1
leadership at HART I am confident HART has the people industrytrust transparency technical expertise and viable action plan neededto move this project ahead Funding through a portion of the transientaccommodation tax will provide a sustainable and dedicated fundingsource to allow construction to continueThank you for allowing me this opportunity to submit my support for Bill40Respectfully
Michael Kamaka PE Principal
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
Natalie IwasaBill 40 TATPage 2
Special Fund
According to Chapter 6 of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu we alreadyhave 50 special or revolving funds Please clean up what is already there beforeadding any new funds
Administration
Sec 8A-19 Rent collection by third party includes a requirement that a copy ofthe first page of the rental agreement or IRS Form 1099 and certain otherdocuments must be filed with the city Renta agreements may include privatepersonal information about tenants I therefore oppose the requirement toprovide this information to the city
In addition the Form 1099 may include a landlordrsquos social security number Ioppose the requirement to provide this to the city These requirements go toofar in an attempt to enforce a county TAT
Sec 8A-1 13(a) (1) Application of tax indicates that any rental for less than 180consecutive days is presumed to be for a transient purpose This presumptiondoes not take into consideration the fact that locals may need to rent for lesstHu 180 days for various reasons I therefore oppose this sectinn
MARRIOTTVACATIONS
WORLDWIDESM
October 5 2021
TO Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairMembers of the Honolulu City Council
FR Denis Ebrill Marriott Vacations Worldwide CorporationRE Comments on Bill 40 Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
Aloha Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiarsquoaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Thank you for allowing me to submit testimony on behalf of Marriott Vacations WorldwideCorporation (ldquoMVWCrdquo) providing Comments and Amendments to Bill 40 establishing atransient accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu MVVC is a global leader inthe timeshare industry with ten resort properties in Hawaii Timeshare resorts are an important andstabilizing part of the tourism industry and resort development provides thousands of constructionjobs in Hawaii per year
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (ldquoCountyTATrdquo) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gross rental proceeds derivedfrom the furnishing of transient accommodations Every transient accommodation broker travelagency and tour packager that arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shallpay the County TAT Further every time share vacation plan must be represented by a planmanager Pursuant to Section 7 the new Count TAT is considered Levied on the effective date ofBill 40
MVWC understands the Countyrsquos intentions in establishing the County TAT however wehave concerns with the implementation of the additional 3 percent increase Implementing theCounty 1rsquoAT upon approval puts hotel operators at a disadvantage Essentially this would meanthat the Count TAT would be retroactively applicable to reservations made on the effective dateeven though the bill has not been signed by the Mayor Furthermore hotel operators will notbe able to 1) disclose the new tax to guests in advance and 2) adjust booking systems and rentalagreements to collect the new tax from guests after the County TAT has been officially establishedAdditionally timeshare resorts will need to update their Hawaii disclosure statements and file withthe Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (ldquoDCCArdquo)
Accordingly MVWC respectfully requests the County TAT not be levied until at aminimum not earlier than 30 days after Bill 40rsquos approval to allow 1) appropriate notice to begiven to travel partners that the law has been signed 2) booking systems to be updated with thenew County TAT and 3) rental agreements to be modified with the new requiredlanguage Furthermore an additional 30 days provides resorts an adequate amount of time toprovide proper notice to guests update disclosure statements with DCCA and coordinate withthird party booking platforms to accommodate new tax
9002 San Marco Court Orlando Florida 32819 T 407-206-6000 F 407-206-6420 cornProud supporter of Childrenrsquos Miracle Network Hospitals
Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairOctober 52021Page 2
Moreover an additional 30 days after signing would be consistent with the timeframe ofprevious increases in TAT at the state level and recent implementation in other counties Typicallywhen the TAT was increased at the state level in the past the legislation would allow for severalmonths to enable the hotel industry to adjust internal booking systems to properly disclose andcharge for the increased rate Further Maui County recently passed their own county TAT with alevied date of November 12021 which will be approximately 30 days after it is signed into lawMaui County found the additional time to be a fair comprise to allow the hotel industry to accountfor the County TAT
Based upon the foregoing MVWC recommends the following amendments to Bill 40
1 Amend Section 7 to state ldquoThis ordinance takes effect upon its approval The transientaccommodations tax established by this ordinance is considered levied 30 days afterapprovalrdquo
Mahalo for your consideration of these amendments
Aloha
Dcnis EbrillSenior Vice PresidentMarriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation
Evan Cueqvimanaka-asatocpm
AQU AbullbullA S TO NH OS P I TA LIT V
October 52021
TO Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice ChairMembers of the Honolulu City Council
FR Aqua-Aston Hospitality
RE Comments on Bill 40 Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
Aloha Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiarsquoaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Thank you for allowing Aqua-Aston Hospitality LLC (ldquoAqua-Astonrdquo) to provideComments and Amendments to Bill 40 establishing a transient accommodations tax for the Cityand County of Honolulu Aqua-Aston has engaged in hotel and resort management in the state ofHawaii for over 75 years
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (ldquoCountyTATrdquo) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gloss rental proceeds derivedfrom the iltraishing of transient accommodations Ever transient accommodation broker travelagency and tour packager tat arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shallpay the County TAT Pursuant to Section 7 the new County TAT is considered levied on theeffective date of Bill 40
AquamdashAston understands the Countyrsquos intentions in establishing the County TAT inresponse to Act I Special Session Laws of Hawairsquo i which stripped the County of allocated StateTransient Accommodations Tax Nevertheless we have concerns with the implementation ofthe additional 3 percent increase Having the County TAT levied upon approval puts hoteloperators at a disadvantage Hotel operators 1) will not be able to disclose the County TAT toguests who have already booked in advance of or on the effective date nor 2) sufficient time toadjust booking systems and rental agreements to enable them to collect the County TAT on theeffective date Similarly the County TAT would be retroactively applicable to reservations madeon the effective date even though the bill has not yet been signed by the Mayor
Aqua-Aston respectfully requests the County TAT be levied until at a minimum notearlier than 30 days after Bill 40rsquos approval to allow I) appropriate notice to be given to travelpartners 2) booking engines to be updated with the new County TAT and 3) rentalagreements to be modified with the new required language Furthermore an additional 30 daysprovides resorts an adequate amount of time to provide proper notice to guests and coordinate withthird party booking platforms to accommodate the Count)rsquo TAT
Office 820 MilHani St Ste 600 Honolulu HI 96813 T 803-931-1400MaiHrig Address 6649 Westwood Blvd Orlando FL 32821
Moreover an additional 30 days after signing would be consistent with the timeframe ofprevious increases in TAT at the state level and recent implementation in other counties Typicallywhen the TAT was increased at the state level in the past the legislation would allow for severalmonths to enable the hotel industry to adjust internal booking systems to properly disclose andcharge for the increased rate Further Maui County recently passed their own county TAT with alevied date of November 1 202L which will be approximately 30 days after it is signed into lawMaui County found the additional time to be a fair compromise to allow the hotel industry toaccount for the County TAT
Accordingly Aqua-Aston recommends the following amendment to Bill 40
1 Amend Section 7 to state ldquoThis ordinance takes effect upon its approval The transientaccommodations tax established by this ordinance is considered levied 30 days afterapprovalrdquo
Mahalo for your consideration of these amendments
Respectfully submitted
Denis EbrillAqua Aston Hospitality LLC Managing Director
Evan Dueeouecjmanaka-asatocorn
Office 820 Mililani St Ste 600 Honolulu HI 96813 1808-931-1400Mailing Address 6649 Westwood Blvd Orlando FL 32821
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 1047 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Evan CuePhone
Email eoueimanaka-asatocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40Your position on the
Commentmatter
Representing Organization
Organization ARDA Hawaii
Please find attached ARDA Hawaiirsquos Testimony providingWritten Testimonycomments on Bill 40
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and1Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
1
October 5 2021
TO Councilmember Tommy Waters Chair
Councilmember Esther Kiaaina Vice- Chair
Members of the Honolulu City Council
FR AMERICAN RESORT DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION ndash HAWAII (ARDA Hawaii)
RE Comments on Bill 40 (Bill 40) RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT
ACCOMMODATIONS TAX (ESTABLISHING A TRANSIENT
ACCOMMODATIONS TAX FOR THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU
PROVIDE FOR ITS IMPOSITION AND DISPOSITION AND FACILITATE THE
RECEIPT AND DEPOSIT OF THE REVENUES DERIVED FROM THE TRANSIENT
ACCOMMODATIONS TAX)
Aloha Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Thank you for allowing ARDA Hawaii to submit testimony providing Comments and
Amendments to Bill 40 establishing a transient accommodations tax for the City and County of
Honolulu ARDA Hawaii is the local chapter of the trade association for the timeshare industry
Timeshare is an important and stabilizing part of the tourism industry and Honolulus economy
Timeshare owners have made a long-term commitment to Honolulu by purchasing and owning
real property in the County These owners are consistent and dependable visitors who bring
substantial tax dollars and continue to come even during periods of economic downturn
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (County
TAT) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gross rental proceeds derived
from the furnishing of transient accommodations Every transient accommodation broker travel
agency and tour packager that arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shall
pay the County TAT Further every time share vacation plan must be represented by a plan
manager Pursuant to Section 7 the new County TAT is considered levied on the effective date of
Bill 40
ARDA Hawaii understands the need for the County to establish the County TAT
however we have concerns with the timing of the application of the additional 3 percent
increase Having the County TAT levied upon approval puts hotel operators at a disadvantage
Essentially this would mean that the County TAT would be retroactively applicable to
2
reservations made on the effective date even though the bill has not been signed by the Mayor
Furthermore hotel operators will not be able to 1) disclose the new tax to guests in advance and
2) adjust booking systems and rental agreements to collect the new tax from guests after the
County TAT has been officially established In turn operators will need to pay for the County
TAT themselves for reservations on the effective date
Moreover timeshare resorts will need to update their Hawaii disclosure statements and
file with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) This is often a time-
consuming process requiring approval from the DCCA Having Bill 40 be levied upon approval
will lead to inadequate disclosure to customers Imposing the County TAT in this manner will
make it impossible for developers and operators to provide full and fair disclosure to buyers
owners and other occupants
Accordingly ARDA Hawaii respectfully requests the County TAT be levied at a
minimum not earlier than 30 days after Bill 40s approval to allow 1) appropriate notice to be
given to travel partners that the law has been signed 2) hotel operators to charge for the
County TAT that is officially passed 3) booking engines to be updated with the new County
TAT and 4) rental agreements to be modified with the new required language Further the any
additional time will provide developers and timeshare operators time to update disclosure
statements with DCCA and provide consumers with full and fair disclosure
Specifically ARDA Hawaii recommends the following amendment to Bill 40
1 Amend Section 7 to state This ordinance takes effect upon its approval The transient
accommodations tax established by this ordinance is considered levied 30 days after
approval
Mahalo for your consideration of our comments We look forward to working with the
Council on implementing a policy that will enhance the ability of developers and operators to
comply with the new existing laws and requirements that compel fair and full disclosure of the
County TAT to consumers
Respectfully Submitted
Mitchell A Imanaka
Chair
American Resort Development Association of Hawaii
HAWAII OPERATING ENGINEERSINDusTRY STABILIZATION FuND
(ccedilg) 1
lsquoheftzc cqr ltnagth ant orkrn ngctaer(a a Ut
October 5 2021
Honorable Tommy Waters Honolulu City Council ChairHonorable Esther Kiarsquoaacuteina Honolulu City Council Vice ChairHonorable Members of the Honolulu City Council
RE Bill 40(2021) Relating to the transient accommodations tax (Establishing a transient
accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and
facilitate the receipt and deposit of the revenues derived from the transient accommodations tax)
Chair Waters
My name is Pane Meatoga Ill and I am the Community Liaison representing the Hawaii OperatingEngineers Industry Stabilization Fund (HOEISF) We are a labor management fund representing 3000unionized members in heavy engineering site work and 500 general contractors specializing in heavy siteand vertical construction Our organization would like to offer our written testimony in support of Bill40(2021)
Construction of the rait guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utility relocationalso continues Currently construction work has either been bid out or is ready to start the bidingprocess and design work is ongoing for the most difficult section of Dillingham Boulevard We aregetting closer to the finish line and members of Operating Engineers Local 3 and other trade unions arehard at work making this project a reality
We believe a dedicated local revenue source that is not from real property taxes will allow for thecompleUon of a rail system that lsquoArsquoill transform Oahu for the benefit of future generations A fixedpercentage of the Cityrsquos Transient Accommodation Tax (TAT) dedicated to rail is exactly what the countyneeds now to continue this project We recommend that the Honolulu City Council consider allocatinga percentage of the Countyrsquos TAT to the Honolulu Rail Project
We appreciate the Honolulu City Council taking up this bill We look forward to Bill 40 progressingthrough the legislative process and we look forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
Sincerely
Pane Meatoga IllHawaii Operating Engineers Industry Stabilization Fund
pnceuroh pciLccrn
DUHO1IFONjasorsca4 ampuatildeder
HAWAII
October 52021
Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairMembers of the Honolulu City Council
RE Comments on Bill 40 (ldquoBill 40rdquo) Rclating to the Transient Accommodations TaxHearing date Wednesday October 6 2021 at 1000 AM
Aloha Chair Waters Vicc Chair Kiarsquoaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Mahalo for the opportunity to submit testimony on behalf of DR Horton Hawaii LLC(ldquoDR Hortonrdquo) in Support of Bill 40 relating to the transient accommodations tax DR Hortonis one of Hawaiirsquos largest home builders and has been providing affordable housing and first-timebuyer homes for Hawaiirsquos families throughout Oahu for nearly fifty years
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (ldquoCountyTATrdquo) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gross rental proceeds derivedfrom the furnishing of transient accommodations Every transient accommodation broker travelagency and tour packagDr that arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shallpay the County TAT Additionally Bill 40 allocates percentages of the tax revenue generated bythe County TAT into I) the general fund 2) the transit fund established under Chapter 6 Article61 and 3) a special account in the general fund specifically used to mitigate the impacts of visitorson public facilities including the restoration and maintenance of beaches and parks
Prinarily DR Horton supports an allocation of the County TAT to be dedicated tofunding the rail project We favor a fixed allocation of funding that will enable the city to finishand maintain the project in a fiscally responsible way allowing the rail project to be completedwithout raising property taxes or endangering the Countyrsquos bond rating Furthermore funding therail project will restore confidence with the FTA and potentially unlock much needed federalfunding
Additionally the completion of the rail project will directly influence the creation of asignificant inventory of much needed affordable housing Completing the rail project willincentivize transit oriented development around the downtown and Ala Moana rail stationsprojected to create an additional 11600 housing units Failing to complete the rail project will putus that much further behind the curve in reaching our collective affordable housing goals
Dahu Maui Hawaii Island Kauai
130 Merchant Street Suite 112 Honolulu Hawaii 96813 8085215661
wwwdrhortoncomhawaii
Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairOctober 52021Page 2
Finally completion of the rail has the added benefit of decreasing our dependance onimported oil and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging multi-modal forms oftransportation that are both walkable and bikeable consistent with the Cityrsquos long term planninggoals Further the completion of the rail project will create a much needed connection betweenmaster planned communities in Ewa and downtown Honolulu enhancing the quality life forfamilies living in West Oahu
In summary DR Horton supports Bill 40 and the proposed allocations Mahalo for yourtime and consideration It is very much appreciated Should you have any questions please donot hesitate to contact me at 808-782-4109 or ttonakicdrhortoneom
Sincerely
9KTracy TonakiSenior Vice President
Evan Quoeoueirnanaka-asatoeom
1065 Ahua StreetHonolulu H 96819Phone 808-833-1681 FAX 839-4167Email jfbullfccedileaIigcaQia (iINERAI (lsquo()NrIAuIORS ASSOCIATION OF I IAWAIIWebsite wwwgcahawoiiore
Quality People Quality Projects
October 162021
Councilman Tommy Waters ChairMembers of the City CouncilCity amp County of the Honolulu CityHonolulu HI 96813
Re Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the City Council
The General Contractors Association of Hawaii (GCA) is an organization comprised ofapproximately five hundred (500) general contractors subcontractors and construction relatedfirms The GCA was established in 1932 and is the largest construction association in the Stateof Hawaii Our mission is to elevate Hawaiirsquos construction industry and strengthen thefoundation of our community
GCA is in STRONG SUPPORT of Bill 40 which establishes a transient accommodations taxfor the City and County of Honolulu
Of this amount we respectfully request that a portion be set aside for the completion of theI lonolulu rail project This new revenue source a tourist tax comes from our visitors rather thanour residents both of whom will use and ridc a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utilityrelocation also continues A dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of asystem that will transform Oahu Westsidc families will have the option to ride the rail to workand school rather than spending an hour-4- in traffic
Further transit-oriented developments include affordable units along the route This will helpaddress our housing shortage asll600 housing units along the downtown and Ala Moana railstations will be completed as a result of the TOD planning This creates multi-modals form oftransportation that allow for walkable bikeable communities and safe streets for families
Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony in support of Bill 40
Ryan Sakuda
ryan(gcahawaiiorg
-4rsquo
a4714rdquo t014 5n
Testimony by Harry SaundersPresident Castle amp Cooke Hawairsquoi
October 5 2021
City and County of Honolulu City CouncilRegarding
BILL 40 (2021)RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS TAX
SUPPORT WITH COMMENTS
Chair amp Presiding Officer Tommy Waters Vice Chair Esther Kiarsquoaumlina and Members of the City Council
I am Harry Saunders Presidcnt of Castle amp Cookc Hawairsquoi Thank you for the opportunity to submittcstimony regarding Bill 40 (2021)
Castic amp Cooke Hawairsquoi supports the intent of Bill 40 that will dedicate a portion of the transientaccommodations tax into a transportation fund It is critical that this bill have a fixed percentage of thetransient accommodations tax dedicated towards the funding of the rail so the city can finish the projectin a fiscally responsible way without raising property taxes and endangering our cityrsquos bond rating
Allocating a fixed percentage of the transient accommodations tax to fund the rail transit project will havelong temi benefits to visitors and kamarsquoaina alike
Rail will provide multi-modal opportunities giving residents transportation options It will help reducethe dependence on vehicles and its requisite imported oils with overall benefits to the health of ourenvironment Rail will reduce commute times for residents living in outlying communities The timethey gain back will enhance their quality of life
It also provides housing and redevelopment opportunities to communities With this redevelopmentcomes affordable housing Affordable housing planned in Transit Oriented Development for thedowntown and Ala Moana rail stations is a combined 11600 housing units
Allocating a fixed percentage of the TAT funding to Rail will pay for the ongoing operations andmaintenance of the system after construction has been completed again without the need to raiseproperty taxes
Mahalo for your consideration of my testimony Should you have any questions please feel free tocontact us
Harry Saunders Garret MatsunamiPresident Vice President Residential OperationsCastle amp Cooke Hawairsquoi Castle amp Cooke Hawairsquoifsakai(i2eastlecookeeom gmatsunamicastlecookecomPhone 548-4884 Phone 626-3625llcQmacastIecookecom
680 Iwilei Road Box 510 Honolulu Hawaii 96817Phone (808) 548-4811 Fax (808) 548-6690
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 110 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mufi HannemannPhoneEmail mhannemanncopyhawaBlodgingorgMeeting Date 10-06-2021CouncilPH
CouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40Your position
Commenton the matter
Representing Organization
Organization Hawairsquoi Lodging amp Tourism AssociationTestimony ofMufi HannemannPresident amp CEOHawaii Lodging amp Tourism Association
Honolulu City CouncilBill 40 (2021)October 6 2021
Chair Waters and members of the Honolulu City Council mahalo forthe opportunity to submit testimony on behalf of the Hawaii Lodging ampTourism Association the statersquos largest private sector visitor industryorganization
WrittenTestimony The Hawaii Lodging amp Tourism Associationmdashnearly 700 members
strong representing more than 50000 hotel rooms and nearly 40000lodging workersmdashstrongly opposed the passage of House Bill 862which among myriad other issues stripped the State TransientAccommodations Tax (TAT) allocation to the counties and allowed forup to an additional three percent surcharge to be levied on lodgingproperties The surcharge proposed by this measure represents a 29increase to the TAT that comes at a highly inopportune time for anindustry that has been drastically affected by the pandemic and travelrestrictions However with the veto override by the Legislature andthe ultimate passage of HB 862 we recognize the financial position inwhich the City amp County of Honolulu finds itself and the need todeliberate on the introduced bill As the latest version of Bill 40 (2020)does not stipulate the percentages by which the collected tax monies
will be divided between the general fund transit fund and theunnamed visitor impact fund we would like to provide comments onthe proposed measure at this time
As the vast majority of monies raised by the TATmdashand the new threepercent surchargemdashwill undoubtedly come from the pockets of visitorsit is our position that the lionrsquos share of these funds should be utilizedto address tourism related needs and the impacts created by travelersto Hawaii The opportunities in this regard are seemingly endless andcould include more routine county tasks such as road refinishing andupdates to our infrastructure but should also be used on projects moredirectly associated with tourism impacts like trail management beachand park maintenance additional support for first responders and theprovision of adequate public safety staffing at beaches and other Cityinstallations
We are all aware of the discussions currently happening in thecommunity that focus upon tourism its impact on our naturalresources and communities and the significant role it plays in oureconomy Anti-tourism sentiments are at an all-time high and both thetourism industry and the community are working to strike a finebalance that suits both residents and visitors to our home Relegatinga significant portion of funds generated by the surcharge to the tourismimpact fund would ensure that the City is appropriately addressing thevarious issues surrounding tourism with visitor dollars and would maketransparency in the process that much more likely The HawaiiTourism Authorityrsquos Destination Management Action Plan processmdashwhich aims to better manage tourism for our entire statemdashhas beencompleted for Oahu and this would be an ideal jumping off point tobegin discussion of how surcharge funds are utilized for some of theirpriorities Finally we would also like to better understand who willoversee the special tourism impact fund and ensure that said funds willbe used for their intended purposes through a transparent process
We look forward to a robust public discourse on this measure andthank you for the opportunity to provide these comments
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
Mobi[e 8084288717
c EmaH indascFarzschtzcoIlabortvecoin- lsquo- 5chatzcohaboratvecomcollaborative
October 5 2021
Via email to Honolulu City Council
SUBJECT Bill 40(2021) mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations TaxCouncil Meeting October 6 2021 1000am
Dear Council Members
I am submitting written testimony to offer comments to Bill 40
This bill must have a fixed percentage of the TAT dedicated to funding the rail to avoidraising property taxes or jeopardizing our bond rating
Irsquove been a housing advocate and developer for the last 20 years and have supported effortsto create multi-modal neighborhoods in the primary urban core If a fixed percentage of atleast half of the TAT to the county goes to rail construction operations and rail focusedactivities such as TOD it will help create ripe conditions for housing redevelopment andwalkable communities Rail is also a catalyst to begin the efforts to bring back sociallyequitable planning efforts to disadvantaged neighborhoods on Dahu Without a dedicatedsource of funding we lose so much more in terms of equitable opportunities for Oahursquoscommunity and future generations
Thank you again for the opportunity to submit this testimony If there are any questions or ifadditional information is needed please do not hesitate to contact me at (808)428-8717
Warmest Regards
Linda Schatz
Principal
HAWAII REGIONAL COUNCIL OF
CARPENTERS
October 6 2021
City Council
City amp County of Honolulu
Councilmember Tommy Waters Chair
Councilmember Esther Kiarsquoatildeina Vice Chair
Statement of the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters mdash SUPPORT for Bill 40 (2021)mdashRelating to thetransient accommodations tax
Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiarsquoatildeina and Members of the Council
The Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters would like to offer their support for Bill 40 relating to thetransient accommodations tax
Specifically this bill must contain a fixed percentage of the TAT that is dedicated to funding for rail sothe city can finish the project in fiscally responsible way without the need to raise property taxes
Dedicating a percentage of the TAT will also pay for the ongoing operations and maintenance of thesystem after construction has been completed again without the need to raise property taxes
Modernizing our infrastructure is important piece of the Biden administrationrsquos plan to ldquoBuild BackBetterrdquo Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will restore confidence with the FTA andcould potentially unlock additional federal funding opportunities
The downtown and Ala Moana rail stations will have a combined 11600 housing units as a result of theTransit Orientated Development planning and without a completed Rail project TOD and our affordablehousing goals cannot be met
Mass transit will decrease our dependance on imported oil reduce our greenhouse gas emissions andallow for the creation of walkable bikeable communities and safe streets for families
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has studied the impact of public transportation systems and rail isassociated with reductions in several health risk factors such as motor vehicle crashes air pollution andphysical inactivity
STATE HEADQUARTERS amp BUSINESS OFFICESOAIIU 1311 Hoiighiailirig SEreetHonnlulu Hawaii 96S17rsquo2711 bull Ph (808) 847-5761 Fax (808) 440-9188
111W OFFICE 525 Kilauca Avenue Room 205 Fur Hawaii 967203050 bull Ph (808) 935-8575 lOx (808) 935-8576KONA OFFICE 75-126 Lunapule RoadKajlua-Kona Hawaii 96740-2106 bull Ph (808) 329-7355 Fax (808) 326-9376
MAUI OFFICE 330 Hookahi StreetWailuku Maui 96793-1449 bull Ph (808) 2426891 Fax (808) 242-5961IA[JAI OFFICE KuIjo Medical CEr Bldg3-3295 Kuhio HwySuiteZOiLihue Kauai 96766-1040 Ph(SO8) 245-8511 Fax (808) 245-8911
A completed rail system will afford greater transportation options for Honolulu especially for seniors
and those who cannot afford the high costs of owning a vehicle
And it will enhance the quality life for leeward families who spend hours in traffic each day
Mahalo for your consideration
Nathaniel KinneynRinncyhrcc-bwflccm
MOVEOAHUFORWARD
October 6 2021
Chairman Tommy Waters and members of the Honolulu City Council
Aloha my name is Jennifer Sabas and I serve as the Executive Director of Move Oahu Forward a nonprofit organization supporting the Honolulu rail project as an integral part of a robust publictransportation system on Oahu I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish atransient accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of this amount I wouldrespectfully request that a portion be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project Thisnew revenue source a tourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both of whosewill ride the finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utility relocationalso continues Work either out to bid or ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficultsection of Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and a dedicated localrevenue source will allow for the completion of a system that will transform Oahu - Westside familieswill have the option to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending an hour+ in trafficTransit-oriented developments to include affordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances for many Oahu families
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support and look forward to a rigorousdebate and discussion in the months ahead
Aloha
Jennifer SabasExecutive DirectorMove Oahu ForwardP0 Box 1329Honolulu HI 96807
jennifermoveoahuforwardorg
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 353 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Nelisa Asato
Phone
Email nasatomatsoncomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee CouncilAgenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter SupportRepresenting Organization
Organization Matson Navigation Company IncWritten Testimony
Testimony AttachmentAccept Terms and Agreement 1
IP 19216820067
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 419 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Denise Boisvert
Phone
Email infofordeniseyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
YES I FULLY SUPPORT Bill 40 proposed by ChairWaters
Written Testimony All the requirements in the proposed bill are EXCELLENT
Mahalo to all for your kind consideration to more this billforward
Testimony Attachment
AcceptTerms and1
Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 418 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mary Kate Duggan
Phone
Email marykateelizabethduggangmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Resolution 21-234
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
Written Testimony
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and Agreement 1
lP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 423 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Kim Jorgensen
Phone
Email hawaiicondoyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on thematter
Support
Representing SelfOrganization
Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony on Bill 40 IWritten Testimonyfully SUPPORT it
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and1Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
HAwAII STATE AFL-CIO888 Mililani Street Suite 501 bull Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Randy Perreira Telephone (808)597-1441President Fax (808) 593-2149
City CouncilCity and County of Honolulu
Testimony byHawairsquoi State AFL-CIO
October 6 2021
Testimony in SUPPORT of Bill 40 Relating tothe Transient Accommodations Tax
The Hawairsquoi State AFL-CIO is a state federation of 74 affiliate local unions and councils with over68000 members across both public and private sectors We appreciate the opportunity to testify insupport of Bill 40
Of all counties in the state swift measures must be taken to mitigate the negative impact overtourismhas on Honolulursquos infrastructure Traffic congestion in Honolulu is exacerbated by the visitorindustry Establishing a three percent transient accommodations tax is key to generating the revenueneeded to invest in Orsquoahursquos public transportation system The Honolulu Rail Transit Project is apublic good that will benefit 0rsquo ahu workers residents and visitors alike by providing a publictransportation option that complements The Bus and further relieves traffic congestion where it ismost needed
We appreciate your consideration of our testimony in support of Bill 40 and strongly urge you to passthis bill
ectfullysnitted
Randy PerreiraPresident
Dion DizonQfbwtcio org
HAWAII APPLESEEDCENTER FOR LAW amp ECONOMIC JUSTTCE
Testimony of the Hawairsquoi Appleseed Center for Law and Economic JusticeSUPPORT mdash Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
City and County of HonoluluWednesday October 6 2021 10AM
Aloha Chair Waters and Councilmembers
We at Hawaii Appleseed strongly support Bill 40 and efforts to use TAT funds to complete therail project as it will dramatically increase the housing stock in TOD areas and create efficientand equitable access to transit To support the affordable housing that Oahu desperately needswe must finish the rail and provide the subsidies needed to ensure that housing is prioritized forlocal residents and stays affordable over the long-term
In addition we urge the council to provide that a fixed percentage of the TAT be allocatedto rail funding so the project can be completed in a fiscally responsible way with a securefunding stream Ideally all of the necessary funds for completion and ongoing maintenance cancome from this dedicated funding which is paid for by visitors to Oahu
Finishing the rail will enable thousands of homes to be built along the rail corridor Withappropriate affordability restrictions and public support these homes can address the severeshortage of affordable housing here on Oahu A recent 2020 study prepared by PBR Hawaii forthe Hawaii Office of Planning estimates the addition of 50900 residential units around the EastKapolei Stadium and lwilei TOD areas alone1rsquo Although these homes will be built in phasesover the next 40 years it is clear that development around rail can substantially contribute to oursupply of affordable housing According to the 2019 Hawaii Housing Planning Study Oahu willneed an additional 22168 residential units by 2025 with half of the need for households withcombined incomes of $75000 or less
Rail is needed to alleviate traffic and provide walkable neighborhoodsAs Oahu plans for the future we should be focused on housing constructed in walkable urbanneighborhoods with easy access to amenities parks and transit To support the smartaffordable and sustainable growth that is needed we should be building around rail-but first wemust complete the rail Access to rail offers an alternative to driving is likely to reduce traffic for
1 July 2020 State Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning and Implementation Project for theisland of Dahu by PBR Hawaii for the Hawaii State Office of Planning Attachment C
communities along the Leeward Coast and wHI create a more equitable way to access theurban core of Honolulu
We strongly urge the council to pass Bill 40 and to continue to work towards creating acomprehensive affordable housing strategy for the residents of Oahu Completing the rail is vitalto enable housing construction but it will take further efforts to ensure that a majority of housingis reserved for local residents and stays affordable over time
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify
Kenna Stormogipsonkennahibudgetorg
October 5 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer And Council Members
Honolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accomodation Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members
I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transient accommodations tax forthe City and County of Honolulu In addition I respectfully request a portion of this generatedtax to be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project We all realize the pastchallenges of the rail project but now have a great opportunity to position HART for a successfulcompletion of the Rail system
With the new leadership at HART I am more confident than ever that we have the managementindustry tmst transparency technical expertise and action plan required to move this projectahead This dedicated funding source which will be shouldered by our tourist will allowconstruction to continue toward a successful completion for ALL of us This will also spurTransit Oriented Deveiopment around the system to help create housing and businessopportunities in our communities
Thank you for this opportunity to submit my support for Bill 40 and to generate an additionalrevenue source for HART
Respectfully
Dexter Kubota PEVice President
dkubota bowersandkubotacom
a a aareg
aqJrsquoJ1001 Bishop Street I Suite 625 I Honolulu HI 96213-28301-866-295-7282 I Fax 808-536-2882
bull aarporghi I aarphiaarporg I twittercomAARPHawaiI
H auva i I
Honolulu City CouncilOctober 6 2021 1000 am
TO The Honorable Tommy Waters ChairpersonRE Bill 40mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the Committee
My name is Kealirsquoi Lopez and I am the State Director for AARP Hawairsquoi AARP is a membershiporganization of people age fifty and over with nearly 145000 members in HawaiiAARP Hawaii supports Bill 40 which seeks to establish transient accommodations tax (TAT) forthe City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and facilitate thereceipt and deposit of the revenue derived
We respectfully wish to add our comment and support for a dedicated percentage of the TATthat will support the mass transit project Having an ongoing dedicated source of funding willhelp pay for mass transit project the ongoing operations and maintenance of the system afterconstruction has been completed and without the need to raise property taxes
AARP has been a strong proponent of an age-friendly community that includesbull Multi-modal forms of transportation for people of all ages Rail affords another
transportation option for Honolulu especially for seniors and those who cannot affordthe high costs of owning a vehicle
bull Transit Orient Developments (TaD) with affordable housings built within walking andbiking distance of major rail stations
Bill 40 provides an opportunity for the City to modernize and complete our transportationinfrastructure Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will help restore confidencewith the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) and could potentially unlock additionalfederal funding opportunities and other public sources to finish the project Thank you for theopportunity to testify in support of Bill 40
Sincerely
lsquos--rsquo hr
Kealirsquoi Lopez State Director
klopezaarporg
BIABUILDING INDUSTRY
A S SOC AT ION ana
TESTIMONY TO THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCILHONOLULU HALE
COUNCIL CHAMBERSOctober 6 2021
900 AM
Honorable Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Council
RE Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
My name is Daryl Takamiya Chair of the Government Relations Committee of the BuildingIndustry Association of Hawaii (BIA-HawaN) Chartered in 1955 the Building IndustryAssociation of Hawaii is a professional trade organization affiliated with the National Associationof Home Builders representing the building industry and its associates BIA-HawaH takes aleadership role in unifying and promoting the interests of the industry to enhance the quality oflife for the people of Hawah Our members build the communities we all call home
BIA-Hawaii is in support of Bill 40 which would establish a transient accommodations tax for theCity and County of Honolulu specifically the portion of the bill that would provide for a depositinto the established transit fund
BIA-Hawaii continues to support the transit system on the island of Oahu because it willincrease the availability of housing as transit-oriented development communities are built Thelack of affordable housing and other quality of life issues continue to plague our communitiesImproving transportation will only help to alleviate these issues and without a completed railproject affordable housing goals will not be met Bill 40 will be an important component toensure that the transit system is brought to successful completion
We appreciate the opportunity to express our views on Sill 40
Stefanie Y Sakamotostefsakamotoconsultingcom
tamp 006-629-7501 94-487 Akoki St Ste 213 wwwbiahawakorg
fax 808-629-7701 Waipahu HI 9679 infobiahawaiiorg
From CLK Council Into
Sent Tuesday October 5 2021 657 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Stanford Masui
Phone
Email standamanniasuigmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-202 1
CouncilPHBudgetCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40
YOLIE positionOppose
on the matter
Representing Organization
Organization RAILSOS (Study Other Solutions)
Chairman Waters and members of the councilOur organization opposes this bill as written1 It assumes that a portion of the TAT will be set aside for a transit fund for the rail Thisassumption should not he made without a vigorous discussion as whether funds should hesiphoned off for a project that is no longer financially viable To put it bluntly why ldquothrowgood money after badrdquo
2 The rail is at an inflection point as to whether it should he constructed beyond its currentendpoint at Middle St or further intensive study as to viable alternatives rather thancontinuing on to Ala Moana at a prohibitive cost Past VIA administrators have urged the cityto consider modification of its plans a clear signal that additional funding may not beforthcoming
Wutten3 Transit Oriented Development is a myth Most of the buildina of condos in the KapiolaniTestimony -corridor were planned without any consideration of the rail route This is amply demonstratedby the fact that while HART struggles to come up with a funding plan and completion to AlaMoana is questionable developers are proceeding to build The numbers and actual cost ofaffordable housing in these condos are still too expensive for most people to afford Only onemajor project currently is in Ewa and that was planned years before the rail was developed
4 There are urgent issues that require immediate and priority funding homelessness and themental health system police fire and emergency services funding road and highwayimprovement and cleanup and improvement of tourist recreational areas such as parks andbeaches
5 Rather than triggering economic growth the public will be saddled with enormous debt bythe borrowed funding and operational expense estimated variously at present at $120- $150
million per year Electricity costs will cause operational expense to double This project couldbankrupt the city
6 HART should develop a funding or recovery plan before it comes to the council for aportion of TAT revenues
7 The final Environmental Impact Statement indicates only a minimal effect in alleviatingtraffic congestion which is the major argument in favor of funding the rail- The motoringpublic will not see any improvement in driving times and the studies were made years agoand are no longer reliable
The Council is urged to delete any provision that funds the rail in favor of funding otherurgent prioritiesThank you for your consideration
Te stin]on yAttachment
Accept TermsI
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 730 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Leslie M Inouye
Phone
Email Iinouyel4gmai1com
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHBuddeget
Committee
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position onOppose
the matter
Representing Self
Organization
Chairman Waters and City Council I and many others who have only recently becomeaware of Bill 40 must oppose the the use of the TAT to help fund rail It seems there are any
Writtennumber of backdoor plans to find the funds for rail despite the ongoing litany of items thateither have no clear fix andor no specific bottom line At some point you must realize thatTestimony
the rail is not a sustainable to use the popular contemporary term project and to continuepursuing this immense burden portends financial ruin for all of us Please let common senserule your decisions
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IF 19216820067
1
1 PETER A GANABANbull Business Manager
ampcretarj- Treasure
ALFONSO OlIVERPesident
JOBY NORTh IIlice President
TONI FIG(ERO4Recording Secretary
JAMES DRLrsquoMGOLD JRExecutiye Bd
ORLANDO PAESTEExecutive Board
JOSFIrsquoK jAWEsecutiw Board
ESTIIERAILA4udaor
RUSSELl NAPIIIA-4Auditor
SI lsquoIRK TRAVALINO4uJior
MAITINARAN4YDOamprgearn-dt-Arms
LIUNA Local 3681617 Palarna StreetHonolulu HI 96817
Phone (808) 841-5877Fax (808)847-7829
wiwIocaI368org
LiUNA
TESTIMONY OF THE HAWAII LABORERSrsquo UNION LOCAL 358
Honolulu City CouncilCouncil Meeting
Wednesday October 6 20211000 AM
RE Bill 40(2021) mdash RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATION TAX(TAT)
Chair Waters Vice-chair Kiarsquoaina and Council Members
The Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 and its 5000 working and retired men andwomen across the state of Hawaii stand in strong support of Bill 40(2021) whichestablishes a transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) for the City and Countyof Honolulu
The TAT funding proposed in Bill 40 would allow the City and County of Honoluluto maintain and preserve our island while mitigating the impacts of our naturalresources while also building new and existing infrastructure - including theHonolulu Rail Project This proposed measure would help generate much neededrevenue while having our island visitors help in sharing the cost
Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 respectfully requests that the council takefavorable action on this measure and support Bill 40
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony
Shingayi MasiyaGovernment Relations Director
Feel the Power
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 754 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Paul Yonamine
PhoneEmail paulyonaminecpbbank
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncil
Committee
Agenda Item Testimony and Support for Bill 40Your position
Supporton the mailer
Representing Self
Organization
Testimony and Support for Bill 40
I am Paul Yonamine Executive Chairman of Central Pacific Bank andI am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transientaccommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of thisamount I would respectfully request that a portion be set aside for thecompletion of the Honolulu rail project This new revenue source atourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both ofwhom will use and ride a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steadypace Work on utility relocation also continues Work either out to bidor ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficult section of
Written Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and aTestimony dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of a
system that wilt transform Oahu - Westside families will have theoption to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending anhourdivide in traffic Transit-oriented developments (TOD) to includeaffordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances
Rail and TOD represents the single most important economic driverfor the City and County of Honolulu and the state of Hawaii It alsopresents an invaluable opportunity for more affordable housingdevelopment for generations to come Donrsquot stop and impedeprogress of rail because of past project mismanagement We shouldmake sure the project is fully funded and that capable projectmanagers are hired positioned and empowered to complete thisproject
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support andlook forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 824 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Michael KamakaPhone
Email mkamakabowersandkubotacomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40 - Transient Accommodations TaxYour position
Supporton the matterRepresenting SelfOrganization
October 6 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer and Council MembersHonolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Sill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodation TaxDear Chair Waters and MembersPlease accept this written testimony of my support of Bill 40 toestablish a transient accommodations tax for the City and County ofHonolulu Under Sill 40
Written I believe a transient accommodations tax collects the fair and equitableTestimony amount from visitors who enjoy our City and County of Honolulu today
and in the future The tax will provide funding to mitigate impacts ofvisitors by providing money to support the restoration and maintenanceof public facilitiesAs part of the mitigation to the impacts of visitors I respectfully requesta portion of this transient accommodations tax be set aside to supportthe completion of the Honolulu rail project A rail system will helpmitigate the impacts by visitors in the Honolulu area by providing acleaner alternative of transportation thereby minimizing pollutantscaused by vehicle traffic and congestionAlthough there has been fiscal schedule and constructabilitychallenges there is a renewed hope and optimism for the completionof the rail system A renewable source of funding is the opportunity toposition HART for a successful completion of the rail system With new
1
leadership at HART I am confident HART has the people industrytrust transparency technical expertise and viable action plan neededto move this project ahead Funding through a portion of the transientaccommodation tax will provide a sustainable and dedicated fundingsource to allow construction to continueThank you for allowing me this opportunity to submit my support for Bill40Respectfully
Michael Kamaka PE Principal
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
MARRIOTTVACATIONS
WORLDWIDESM
October 5 2021
TO Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairMembers of the Honolulu City Council
FR Denis Ebrill Marriott Vacations Worldwide CorporationRE Comments on Bill 40 Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
Aloha Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiarsquoaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Thank you for allowing me to submit testimony on behalf of Marriott Vacations WorldwideCorporation (ldquoMVWCrdquo) providing Comments and Amendments to Bill 40 establishing atransient accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu MVVC is a global leader inthe timeshare industry with ten resort properties in Hawaii Timeshare resorts are an important andstabilizing part of the tourism industry and resort development provides thousands of constructionjobs in Hawaii per year
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (ldquoCountyTATrdquo) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gross rental proceeds derivedfrom the furnishing of transient accommodations Every transient accommodation broker travelagency and tour packager that arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shallpay the County TAT Further every time share vacation plan must be represented by a planmanager Pursuant to Section 7 the new Count TAT is considered Levied on the effective date ofBill 40
MVWC understands the Countyrsquos intentions in establishing the County TAT however wehave concerns with the implementation of the additional 3 percent increase Implementing theCounty 1rsquoAT upon approval puts hotel operators at a disadvantage Essentially this would meanthat the Count TAT would be retroactively applicable to reservations made on the effective dateeven though the bill has not been signed by the Mayor Furthermore hotel operators will notbe able to 1) disclose the new tax to guests in advance and 2) adjust booking systems and rentalagreements to collect the new tax from guests after the County TAT has been officially establishedAdditionally timeshare resorts will need to update their Hawaii disclosure statements and file withthe Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (ldquoDCCArdquo)
Accordingly MVWC respectfully requests the County TAT not be levied until at aminimum not earlier than 30 days after Bill 40rsquos approval to allow 1) appropriate notice to begiven to travel partners that the law has been signed 2) booking systems to be updated with thenew County TAT and 3) rental agreements to be modified with the new requiredlanguage Furthermore an additional 30 days provides resorts an adequate amount of time toprovide proper notice to guests update disclosure statements with DCCA and coordinate withthird party booking platforms to accommodate new tax
9002 San Marco Court Orlando Florida 32819 T 407-206-6000 F 407-206-6420 cornProud supporter of Childrenrsquos Miracle Network Hospitals
Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairOctober 52021Page 2
Moreover an additional 30 days after signing would be consistent with the timeframe ofprevious increases in TAT at the state level and recent implementation in other counties Typicallywhen the TAT was increased at the state level in the past the legislation would allow for severalmonths to enable the hotel industry to adjust internal booking systems to properly disclose andcharge for the increased rate Further Maui County recently passed their own county TAT with alevied date of November 12021 which will be approximately 30 days after it is signed into lawMaui County found the additional time to be a fair comprise to allow the hotel industry to accountfor the County TAT
Based upon the foregoing MVWC recommends the following amendments to Bill 40
1 Amend Section 7 to state ldquoThis ordinance takes effect upon its approval The transientaccommodations tax established by this ordinance is considered levied 30 days afterapprovalrdquo
Mahalo for your consideration of these amendments
Aloha
Dcnis EbrillSenior Vice PresidentMarriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation
Evan Cueqvimanaka-asatocpm
AQU AbullbullA S TO NH OS P I TA LIT V
October 52021
TO Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice ChairMembers of the Honolulu City Council
FR Aqua-Aston Hospitality
RE Comments on Bill 40 Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
Aloha Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiarsquoaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Thank you for allowing Aqua-Aston Hospitality LLC (ldquoAqua-Astonrdquo) to provideComments and Amendments to Bill 40 establishing a transient accommodations tax for the Cityand County of Honolulu Aqua-Aston has engaged in hotel and resort management in the state ofHawaii for over 75 years
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (ldquoCountyTATrdquo) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gloss rental proceeds derivedfrom the iltraishing of transient accommodations Ever transient accommodation broker travelagency and tour packager tat arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shallpay the County TAT Pursuant to Section 7 the new County TAT is considered levied on theeffective date of Bill 40
AquamdashAston understands the Countyrsquos intentions in establishing the County TAT inresponse to Act I Special Session Laws of Hawairsquo i which stripped the County of allocated StateTransient Accommodations Tax Nevertheless we have concerns with the implementation ofthe additional 3 percent increase Having the County TAT levied upon approval puts hoteloperators at a disadvantage Hotel operators 1) will not be able to disclose the County TAT toguests who have already booked in advance of or on the effective date nor 2) sufficient time toadjust booking systems and rental agreements to enable them to collect the County TAT on theeffective date Similarly the County TAT would be retroactively applicable to reservations madeon the effective date even though the bill has not yet been signed by the Mayor
Aqua-Aston respectfully requests the County TAT be levied until at a minimum notearlier than 30 days after Bill 40rsquos approval to allow I) appropriate notice to be given to travelpartners 2) booking engines to be updated with the new County TAT and 3) rentalagreements to be modified with the new required language Furthermore an additional 30 daysprovides resorts an adequate amount of time to provide proper notice to guests and coordinate withthird party booking platforms to accommodate the Count)rsquo TAT
Office 820 MilHani St Ste 600 Honolulu HI 96813 T 803-931-1400MaiHrig Address 6649 Westwood Blvd Orlando FL 32821
Moreover an additional 30 days after signing would be consistent with the timeframe ofprevious increases in TAT at the state level and recent implementation in other counties Typicallywhen the TAT was increased at the state level in the past the legislation would allow for severalmonths to enable the hotel industry to adjust internal booking systems to properly disclose andcharge for the increased rate Further Maui County recently passed their own county TAT with alevied date of November 1 202L which will be approximately 30 days after it is signed into lawMaui County found the additional time to be a fair compromise to allow the hotel industry toaccount for the County TAT
Accordingly Aqua-Aston recommends the following amendment to Bill 40
1 Amend Section 7 to state ldquoThis ordinance takes effect upon its approval The transientaccommodations tax established by this ordinance is considered levied 30 days afterapprovalrdquo
Mahalo for your consideration of these amendments
Respectfully submitted
Denis EbrillAqua Aston Hospitality LLC Managing Director
Evan Dueeouecjmanaka-asatocorn
Office 820 Mililani St Ste 600 Honolulu HI 96813 1808-931-1400Mailing Address 6649 Westwood Blvd Orlando FL 32821
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 1047 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Evan CuePhone
Email eoueimanaka-asatocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40Your position on the
Commentmatter
Representing Organization
Organization ARDA Hawaii
Please find attached ARDA Hawaiirsquos Testimony providingWritten Testimonycomments on Bill 40
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and1Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
1
October 5 2021
TO Councilmember Tommy Waters Chair
Councilmember Esther Kiaaina Vice- Chair
Members of the Honolulu City Council
FR AMERICAN RESORT DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION ndash HAWAII (ARDA Hawaii)
RE Comments on Bill 40 (Bill 40) RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT
ACCOMMODATIONS TAX (ESTABLISHING A TRANSIENT
ACCOMMODATIONS TAX FOR THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU
PROVIDE FOR ITS IMPOSITION AND DISPOSITION AND FACILITATE THE
RECEIPT AND DEPOSIT OF THE REVENUES DERIVED FROM THE TRANSIENT
ACCOMMODATIONS TAX)
Aloha Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Thank you for allowing ARDA Hawaii to submit testimony providing Comments and
Amendments to Bill 40 establishing a transient accommodations tax for the City and County of
Honolulu ARDA Hawaii is the local chapter of the trade association for the timeshare industry
Timeshare is an important and stabilizing part of the tourism industry and Honolulus economy
Timeshare owners have made a long-term commitment to Honolulu by purchasing and owning
real property in the County These owners are consistent and dependable visitors who bring
substantial tax dollars and continue to come even during periods of economic downturn
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (County
TAT) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gross rental proceeds derived
from the furnishing of transient accommodations Every transient accommodation broker travel
agency and tour packager that arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shall
pay the County TAT Further every time share vacation plan must be represented by a plan
manager Pursuant to Section 7 the new County TAT is considered levied on the effective date of
Bill 40
ARDA Hawaii understands the need for the County to establish the County TAT
however we have concerns with the timing of the application of the additional 3 percent
increase Having the County TAT levied upon approval puts hotel operators at a disadvantage
Essentially this would mean that the County TAT would be retroactively applicable to
2
reservations made on the effective date even though the bill has not been signed by the Mayor
Furthermore hotel operators will not be able to 1) disclose the new tax to guests in advance and
2) adjust booking systems and rental agreements to collect the new tax from guests after the
County TAT has been officially established In turn operators will need to pay for the County
TAT themselves for reservations on the effective date
Moreover timeshare resorts will need to update their Hawaii disclosure statements and
file with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) This is often a time-
consuming process requiring approval from the DCCA Having Bill 40 be levied upon approval
will lead to inadequate disclosure to customers Imposing the County TAT in this manner will
make it impossible for developers and operators to provide full and fair disclosure to buyers
owners and other occupants
Accordingly ARDA Hawaii respectfully requests the County TAT be levied at a
minimum not earlier than 30 days after Bill 40s approval to allow 1) appropriate notice to be
given to travel partners that the law has been signed 2) hotel operators to charge for the
County TAT that is officially passed 3) booking engines to be updated with the new County
TAT and 4) rental agreements to be modified with the new required language Further the any
additional time will provide developers and timeshare operators time to update disclosure
statements with DCCA and provide consumers with full and fair disclosure
Specifically ARDA Hawaii recommends the following amendment to Bill 40
1 Amend Section 7 to state This ordinance takes effect upon its approval The transient
accommodations tax established by this ordinance is considered levied 30 days after
approval
Mahalo for your consideration of our comments We look forward to working with the
Council on implementing a policy that will enhance the ability of developers and operators to
comply with the new existing laws and requirements that compel fair and full disclosure of the
County TAT to consumers
Respectfully Submitted
Mitchell A Imanaka
Chair
American Resort Development Association of Hawaii
HAWAII OPERATING ENGINEERSINDusTRY STABILIZATION FuND
(ccedilg) 1
lsquoheftzc cqr ltnagth ant orkrn ngctaer(a a Ut
October 5 2021
Honorable Tommy Waters Honolulu City Council ChairHonorable Esther Kiarsquoaacuteina Honolulu City Council Vice ChairHonorable Members of the Honolulu City Council
RE Bill 40(2021) Relating to the transient accommodations tax (Establishing a transient
accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and
facilitate the receipt and deposit of the revenues derived from the transient accommodations tax)
Chair Waters
My name is Pane Meatoga Ill and I am the Community Liaison representing the Hawaii OperatingEngineers Industry Stabilization Fund (HOEISF) We are a labor management fund representing 3000unionized members in heavy engineering site work and 500 general contractors specializing in heavy siteand vertical construction Our organization would like to offer our written testimony in support of Bill40(2021)
Construction of the rait guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utility relocationalso continues Currently construction work has either been bid out or is ready to start the bidingprocess and design work is ongoing for the most difficult section of Dillingham Boulevard We aregetting closer to the finish line and members of Operating Engineers Local 3 and other trade unions arehard at work making this project a reality
We believe a dedicated local revenue source that is not from real property taxes will allow for thecompleUon of a rail system that lsquoArsquoill transform Oahu for the benefit of future generations A fixedpercentage of the Cityrsquos Transient Accommodation Tax (TAT) dedicated to rail is exactly what the countyneeds now to continue this project We recommend that the Honolulu City Council consider allocatinga percentage of the Countyrsquos TAT to the Honolulu Rail Project
We appreciate the Honolulu City Council taking up this bill We look forward to Bill 40 progressingthrough the legislative process and we look forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
Sincerely
Pane Meatoga IllHawaii Operating Engineers Industry Stabilization Fund
pnceuroh pciLccrn
DUHO1IFONjasorsca4 ampuatildeder
HAWAII
October 52021
Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairMembers of the Honolulu City Council
RE Comments on Bill 40 (ldquoBill 40rdquo) Rclating to the Transient Accommodations TaxHearing date Wednesday October 6 2021 at 1000 AM
Aloha Chair Waters Vicc Chair Kiarsquoaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Mahalo for the opportunity to submit testimony on behalf of DR Horton Hawaii LLC(ldquoDR Hortonrdquo) in Support of Bill 40 relating to the transient accommodations tax DR Hortonis one of Hawaiirsquos largest home builders and has been providing affordable housing and first-timebuyer homes for Hawaiirsquos families throughout Oahu for nearly fifty years
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (ldquoCountyTATrdquo) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gross rental proceeds derivedfrom the furnishing of transient accommodations Every transient accommodation broker travelagency and tour packagDr that arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shallpay the County TAT Additionally Bill 40 allocates percentages of the tax revenue generated bythe County TAT into I) the general fund 2) the transit fund established under Chapter 6 Article61 and 3) a special account in the general fund specifically used to mitigate the impacts of visitorson public facilities including the restoration and maintenance of beaches and parks
Prinarily DR Horton supports an allocation of the County TAT to be dedicated tofunding the rail project We favor a fixed allocation of funding that will enable the city to finishand maintain the project in a fiscally responsible way allowing the rail project to be completedwithout raising property taxes or endangering the Countyrsquos bond rating Furthermore funding therail project will restore confidence with the FTA and potentially unlock much needed federalfunding
Additionally the completion of the rail project will directly influence the creation of asignificant inventory of much needed affordable housing Completing the rail project willincentivize transit oriented development around the downtown and Ala Moana rail stationsprojected to create an additional 11600 housing units Failing to complete the rail project will putus that much further behind the curve in reaching our collective affordable housing goals
Dahu Maui Hawaii Island Kauai
130 Merchant Street Suite 112 Honolulu Hawaii 96813 8085215661
wwwdrhortoncomhawaii
Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairOctober 52021Page 2
Finally completion of the rail has the added benefit of decreasing our dependance onimported oil and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging multi-modal forms oftransportation that are both walkable and bikeable consistent with the Cityrsquos long term planninggoals Further the completion of the rail project will create a much needed connection betweenmaster planned communities in Ewa and downtown Honolulu enhancing the quality life forfamilies living in West Oahu
In summary DR Horton supports Bill 40 and the proposed allocations Mahalo for yourtime and consideration It is very much appreciated Should you have any questions please donot hesitate to contact me at 808-782-4109 or ttonakicdrhortoneom
Sincerely
9KTracy TonakiSenior Vice President
Evan Quoeoueirnanaka-asatoeom
1065 Ahua StreetHonolulu H 96819Phone 808-833-1681 FAX 839-4167Email jfbullfccedileaIigcaQia (iINERAI (lsquo()NrIAuIORS ASSOCIATION OF I IAWAIIWebsite wwwgcahawoiiore
Quality People Quality Projects
October 162021
Councilman Tommy Waters ChairMembers of the City CouncilCity amp County of the Honolulu CityHonolulu HI 96813
Re Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the City Council
The General Contractors Association of Hawaii (GCA) is an organization comprised ofapproximately five hundred (500) general contractors subcontractors and construction relatedfirms The GCA was established in 1932 and is the largest construction association in the Stateof Hawaii Our mission is to elevate Hawaiirsquos construction industry and strengthen thefoundation of our community
GCA is in STRONG SUPPORT of Bill 40 which establishes a transient accommodations taxfor the City and County of Honolulu
Of this amount we respectfully request that a portion be set aside for the completion of theI lonolulu rail project This new revenue source a tourist tax comes from our visitors rather thanour residents both of whom will use and ridc a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utilityrelocation also continues A dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of asystem that will transform Oahu Westsidc families will have the option to ride the rail to workand school rather than spending an hour-4- in traffic
Further transit-oriented developments include affordable units along the route This will helpaddress our housing shortage asll600 housing units along the downtown and Ala Moana railstations will be completed as a result of the TOD planning This creates multi-modals form oftransportation that allow for walkable bikeable communities and safe streets for families
Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony in support of Bill 40
Ryan Sakuda
ryan(gcahawaiiorg
-4rsquo
a4714rdquo t014 5n
Testimony by Harry SaundersPresident Castle amp Cooke Hawairsquoi
October 5 2021
City and County of Honolulu City CouncilRegarding
BILL 40 (2021)RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS TAX
SUPPORT WITH COMMENTS
Chair amp Presiding Officer Tommy Waters Vice Chair Esther Kiarsquoaumlina and Members of the City Council
I am Harry Saunders Presidcnt of Castle amp Cookc Hawairsquoi Thank you for the opportunity to submittcstimony regarding Bill 40 (2021)
Castic amp Cooke Hawairsquoi supports the intent of Bill 40 that will dedicate a portion of the transientaccommodations tax into a transportation fund It is critical that this bill have a fixed percentage of thetransient accommodations tax dedicated towards the funding of the rail so the city can finish the projectin a fiscally responsible way without raising property taxes and endangering our cityrsquos bond rating
Allocating a fixed percentage of the transient accommodations tax to fund the rail transit project will havelong temi benefits to visitors and kamarsquoaina alike
Rail will provide multi-modal opportunities giving residents transportation options It will help reducethe dependence on vehicles and its requisite imported oils with overall benefits to the health of ourenvironment Rail will reduce commute times for residents living in outlying communities The timethey gain back will enhance their quality of life
It also provides housing and redevelopment opportunities to communities With this redevelopmentcomes affordable housing Affordable housing planned in Transit Oriented Development for thedowntown and Ala Moana rail stations is a combined 11600 housing units
Allocating a fixed percentage of the TAT funding to Rail will pay for the ongoing operations andmaintenance of the system after construction has been completed again without the need to raiseproperty taxes
Mahalo for your consideration of my testimony Should you have any questions please feel free tocontact us
Harry Saunders Garret MatsunamiPresident Vice President Residential OperationsCastle amp Cooke Hawairsquoi Castle amp Cooke Hawairsquoifsakai(i2eastlecookeeom gmatsunamicastlecookecomPhone 548-4884 Phone 626-3625llcQmacastIecookecom
680 Iwilei Road Box 510 Honolulu Hawaii 96817Phone (808) 548-4811 Fax (808) 548-6690
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 110 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mufi HannemannPhoneEmail mhannemanncopyhawaBlodgingorgMeeting Date 10-06-2021CouncilPH
CouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40Your position
Commenton the matter
Representing Organization
Organization Hawairsquoi Lodging amp Tourism AssociationTestimony ofMufi HannemannPresident amp CEOHawaii Lodging amp Tourism Association
Honolulu City CouncilBill 40 (2021)October 6 2021
Chair Waters and members of the Honolulu City Council mahalo forthe opportunity to submit testimony on behalf of the Hawaii Lodging ampTourism Association the statersquos largest private sector visitor industryorganization
WrittenTestimony The Hawaii Lodging amp Tourism Associationmdashnearly 700 members
strong representing more than 50000 hotel rooms and nearly 40000lodging workersmdashstrongly opposed the passage of House Bill 862which among myriad other issues stripped the State TransientAccommodations Tax (TAT) allocation to the counties and allowed forup to an additional three percent surcharge to be levied on lodgingproperties The surcharge proposed by this measure represents a 29increase to the TAT that comes at a highly inopportune time for anindustry that has been drastically affected by the pandemic and travelrestrictions However with the veto override by the Legislature andthe ultimate passage of HB 862 we recognize the financial position inwhich the City amp County of Honolulu finds itself and the need todeliberate on the introduced bill As the latest version of Bill 40 (2020)does not stipulate the percentages by which the collected tax monies
will be divided between the general fund transit fund and theunnamed visitor impact fund we would like to provide comments onthe proposed measure at this time
As the vast majority of monies raised by the TATmdashand the new threepercent surchargemdashwill undoubtedly come from the pockets of visitorsit is our position that the lionrsquos share of these funds should be utilizedto address tourism related needs and the impacts created by travelersto Hawaii The opportunities in this regard are seemingly endless andcould include more routine county tasks such as road refinishing andupdates to our infrastructure but should also be used on projects moredirectly associated with tourism impacts like trail management beachand park maintenance additional support for first responders and theprovision of adequate public safety staffing at beaches and other Cityinstallations
We are all aware of the discussions currently happening in thecommunity that focus upon tourism its impact on our naturalresources and communities and the significant role it plays in oureconomy Anti-tourism sentiments are at an all-time high and both thetourism industry and the community are working to strike a finebalance that suits both residents and visitors to our home Relegatinga significant portion of funds generated by the surcharge to the tourismimpact fund would ensure that the City is appropriately addressing thevarious issues surrounding tourism with visitor dollars and would maketransparency in the process that much more likely The HawaiiTourism Authorityrsquos Destination Management Action Plan processmdashwhich aims to better manage tourism for our entire statemdashhas beencompleted for Oahu and this would be an ideal jumping off point tobegin discussion of how surcharge funds are utilized for some of theirpriorities Finally we would also like to better understand who willoversee the special tourism impact fund and ensure that said funds willbe used for their intended purposes through a transparent process
We look forward to a robust public discourse on this measure andthank you for the opportunity to provide these comments
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
Mobi[e 8084288717
c EmaH indascFarzschtzcoIlabortvecoin- lsquo- 5chatzcohaboratvecomcollaborative
October 5 2021
Via email to Honolulu City Council
SUBJECT Bill 40(2021) mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations TaxCouncil Meeting October 6 2021 1000am
Dear Council Members
I am submitting written testimony to offer comments to Bill 40
This bill must have a fixed percentage of the TAT dedicated to funding the rail to avoidraising property taxes or jeopardizing our bond rating
Irsquove been a housing advocate and developer for the last 20 years and have supported effortsto create multi-modal neighborhoods in the primary urban core If a fixed percentage of atleast half of the TAT to the county goes to rail construction operations and rail focusedactivities such as TOD it will help create ripe conditions for housing redevelopment andwalkable communities Rail is also a catalyst to begin the efforts to bring back sociallyequitable planning efforts to disadvantaged neighborhoods on Dahu Without a dedicatedsource of funding we lose so much more in terms of equitable opportunities for Oahursquoscommunity and future generations
Thank you again for the opportunity to submit this testimony If there are any questions or ifadditional information is needed please do not hesitate to contact me at (808)428-8717
Warmest Regards
Linda Schatz
Principal
HAWAII REGIONAL COUNCIL OF
CARPENTERS
October 6 2021
City Council
City amp County of Honolulu
Councilmember Tommy Waters Chair
Councilmember Esther Kiarsquoatildeina Vice Chair
Statement of the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters mdash SUPPORT for Bill 40 (2021)mdashRelating to thetransient accommodations tax
Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiarsquoatildeina and Members of the Council
The Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters would like to offer their support for Bill 40 relating to thetransient accommodations tax
Specifically this bill must contain a fixed percentage of the TAT that is dedicated to funding for rail sothe city can finish the project in fiscally responsible way without the need to raise property taxes
Dedicating a percentage of the TAT will also pay for the ongoing operations and maintenance of thesystem after construction has been completed again without the need to raise property taxes
Modernizing our infrastructure is important piece of the Biden administrationrsquos plan to ldquoBuild BackBetterrdquo Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will restore confidence with the FTA andcould potentially unlock additional federal funding opportunities
The downtown and Ala Moana rail stations will have a combined 11600 housing units as a result of theTransit Orientated Development planning and without a completed Rail project TOD and our affordablehousing goals cannot be met
Mass transit will decrease our dependance on imported oil reduce our greenhouse gas emissions andallow for the creation of walkable bikeable communities and safe streets for families
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has studied the impact of public transportation systems and rail isassociated with reductions in several health risk factors such as motor vehicle crashes air pollution andphysical inactivity
STATE HEADQUARTERS amp BUSINESS OFFICESOAIIU 1311 Hoiighiailirig SEreetHonnlulu Hawaii 96S17rsquo2711 bull Ph (808) 847-5761 Fax (808) 440-9188
111W OFFICE 525 Kilauca Avenue Room 205 Fur Hawaii 967203050 bull Ph (808) 935-8575 lOx (808) 935-8576KONA OFFICE 75-126 Lunapule RoadKajlua-Kona Hawaii 96740-2106 bull Ph (808) 329-7355 Fax (808) 326-9376
MAUI OFFICE 330 Hookahi StreetWailuku Maui 96793-1449 bull Ph (808) 2426891 Fax (808) 242-5961IA[JAI OFFICE KuIjo Medical CEr Bldg3-3295 Kuhio HwySuiteZOiLihue Kauai 96766-1040 Ph(SO8) 245-8511 Fax (808) 245-8911
A completed rail system will afford greater transportation options for Honolulu especially for seniors
and those who cannot afford the high costs of owning a vehicle
And it will enhance the quality life for leeward families who spend hours in traffic each day
Mahalo for your consideration
Nathaniel KinneynRinncyhrcc-bwflccm
MOVEOAHUFORWARD
October 6 2021
Chairman Tommy Waters and members of the Honolulu City Council
Aloha my name is Jennifer Sabas and I serve as the Executive Director of Move Oahu Forward a nonprofit organization supporting the Honolulu rail project as an integral part of a robust publictransportation system on Oahu I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish atransient accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of this amount I wouldrespectfully request that a portion be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project Thisnew revenue source a tourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both of whosewill ride the finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utility relocationalso continues Work either out to bid or ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficultsection of Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and a dedicated localrevenue source will allow for the completion of a system that will transform Oahu - Westside familieswill have the option to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending an hour+ in trafficTransit-oriented developments to include affordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances for many Oahu families
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support and look forward to a rigorousdebate and discussion in the months ahead
Aloha
Jennifer SabasExecutive DirectorMove Oahu ForwardP0 Box 1329Honolulu HI 96807
jennifermoveoahuforwardorg
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 353 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Nelisa Asato
Phone
Email nasatomatsoncomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee CouncilAgenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter SupportRepresenting Organization
Organization Matson Navigation Company IncWritten Testimony
Testimony AttachmentAccept Terms and Agreement 1
IP 19216820067
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 419 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Denise Boisvert
Phone
Email infofordeniseyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
YES I FULLY SUPPORT Bill 40 proposed by ChairWaters
Written Testimony All the requirements in the proposed bill are EXCELLENT
Mahalo to all for your kind consideration to more this billforward
Testimony Attachment
AcceptTerms and1
Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 418 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mary Kate Duggan
Phone
Email marykateelizabethduggangmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Resolution 21-234
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
Written Testimony
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and Agreement 1
lP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 423 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Kim Jorgensen
Phone
Email hawaiicondoyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on thematter
Support
Representing SelfOrganization
Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony on Bill 40 IWritten Testimonyfully SUPPORT it
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and1Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
HAwAII STATE AFL-CIO888 Mililani Street Suite 501 bull Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Randy Perreira Telephone (808)597-1441President Fax (808) 593-2149
City CouncilCity and County of Honolulu
Testimony byHawairsquoi State AFL-CIO
October 6 2021
Testimony in SUPPORT of Bill 40 Relating tothe Transient Accommodations Tax
The Hawairsquoi State AFL-CIO is a state federation of 74 affiliate local unions and councils with over68000 members across both public and private sectors We appreciate the opportunity to testify insupport of Bill 40
Of all counties in the state swift measures must be taken to mitigate the negative impact overtourismhas on Honolulursquos infrastructure Traffic congestion in Honolulu is exacerbated by the visitorindustry Establishing a three percent transient accommodations tax is key to generating the revenueneeded to invest in Orsquoahursquos public transportation system The Honolulu Rail Transit Project is apublic good that will benefit 0rsquo ahu workers residents and visitors alike by providing a publictransportation option that complements The Bus and further relieves traffic congestion where it ismost needed
We appreciate your consideration of our testimony in support of Bill 40 and strongly urge you to passthis bill
ectfullysnitted
Randy PerreiraPresident
Dion DizonQfbwtcio org
HAWAII APPLESEEDCENTER FOR LAW amp ECONOMIC JUSTTCE
Testimony of the Hawairsquoi Appleseed Center for Law and Economic JusticeSUPPORT mdash Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
City and County of HonoluluWednesday October 6 2021 10AM
Aloha Chair Waters and Councilmembers
We at Hawaii Appleseed strongly support Bill 40 and efforts to use TAT funds to complete therail project as it will dramatically increase the housing stock in TOD areas and create efficientand equitable access to transit To support the affordable housing that Oahu desperately needswe must finish the rail and provide the subsidies needed to ensure that housing is prioritized forlocal residents and stays affordable over the long-term
In addition we urge the council to provide that a fixed percentage of the TAT be allocatedto rail funding so the project can be completed in a fiscally responsible way with a securefunding stream Ideally all of the necessary funds for completion and ongoing maintenance cancome from this dedicated funding which is paid for by visitors to Oahu
Finishing the rail will enable thousands of homes to be built along the rail corridor Withappropriate affordability restrictions and public support these homes can address the severeshortage of affordable housing here on Oahu A recent 2020 study prepared by PBR Hawaii forthe Hawaii Office of Planning estimates the addition of 50900 residential units around the EastKapolei Stadium and lwilei TOD areas alone1rsquo Although these homes will be built in phasesover the next 40 years it is clear that development around rail can substantially contribute to oursupply of affordable housing According to the 2019 Hawaii Housing Planning Study Oahu willneed an additional 22168 residential units by 2025 with half of the need for households withcombined incomes of $75000 or less
Rail is needed to alleviate traffic and provide walkable neighborhoodsAs Oahu plans for the future we should be focused on housing constructed in walkable urbanneighborhoods with easy access to amenities parks and transit To support the smartaffordable and sustainable growth that is needed we should be building around rail-but first wemust complete the rail Access to rail offers an alternative to driving is likely to reduce traffic for
1 July 2020 State Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning and Implementation Project for theisland of Dahu by PBR Hawaii for the Hawaii State Office of Planning Attachment C
communities along the Leeward Coast and wHI create a more equitable way to access theurban core of Honolulu
We strongly urge the council to pass Bill 40 and to continue to work towards creating acomprehensive affordable housing strategy for the residents of Oahu Completing the rail is vitalto enable housing construction but it will take further efforts to ensure that a majority of housingis reserved for local residents and stays affordable over time
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify
Kenna Stormogipsonkennahibudgetorg
October 5 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer And Council Members
Honolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accomodation Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members
I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transient accommodations tax forthe City and County of Honolulu In addition I respectfully request a portion of this generatedtax to be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project We all realize the pastchallenges of the rail project but now have a great opportunity to position HART for a successfulcompletion of the Rail system
With the new leadership at HART I am more confident than ever that we have the managementindustry tmst transparency technical expertise and action plan required to move this projectahead This dedicated funding source which will be shouldered by our tourist will allowconstruction to continue toward a successful completion for ALL of us This will also spurTransit Oriented Deveiopment around the system to help create housing and businessopportunities in our communities
Thank you for this opportunity to submit my support for Bill 40 and to generate an additionalrevenue source for HART
Respectfully
Dexter Kubota PEVice President
dkubota bowersandkubotacom
a a aareg
aqJrsquoJ1001 Bishop Street I Suite 625 I Honolulu HI 96213-28301-866-295-7282 I Fax 808-536-2882
bull aarporghi I aarphiaarporg I twittercomAARPHawaiI
H auva i I
Honolulu City CouncilOctober 6 2021 1000 am
TO The Honorable Tommy Waters ChairpersonRE Bill 40mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the Committee
My name is Kealirsquoi Lopez and I am the State Director for AARP Hawairsquoi AARP is a membershiporganization of people age fifty and over with nearly 145000 members in HawaiiAARP Hawaii supports Bill 40 which seeks to establish transient accommodations tax (TAT) forthe City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and facilitate thereceipt and deposit of the revenue derived
We respectfully wish to add our comment and support for a dedicated percentage of the TATthat will support the mass transit project Having an ongoing dedicated source of funding willhelp pay for mass transit project the ongoing operations and maintenance of the system afterconstruction has been completed and without the need to raise property taxes
AARP has been a strong proponent of an age-friendly community that includesbull Multi-modal forms of transportation for people of all ages Rail affords another
transportation option for Honolulu especially for seniors and those who cannot affordthe high costs of owning a vehicle
bull Transit Orient Developments (TaD) with affordable housings built within walking andbiking distance of major rail stations
Bill 40 provides an opportunity for the City to modernize and complete our transportationinfrastructure Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will help restore confidencewith the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) and could potentially unlock additionalfederal funding opportunities and other public sources to finish the project Thank you for theopportunity to testify in support of Bill 40
Sincerely
lsquos--rsquo hr
Kealirsquoi Lopez State Director
klopezaarporg
BIABUILDING INDUSTRY
A S SOC AT ION ana
TESTIMONY TO THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCILHONOLULU HALE
COUNCIL CHAMBERSOctober 6 2021
900 AM
Honorable Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Council
RE Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
My name is Daryl Takamiya Chair of the Government Relations Committee of the BuildingIndustry Association of Hawaii (BIA-HawaN) Chartered in 1955 the Building IndustryAssociation of Hawaii is a professional trade organization affiliated with the National Associationof Home Builders representing the building industry and its associates BIA-HawaH takes aleadership role in unifying and promoting the interests of the industry to enhance the quality oflife for the people of Hawah Our members build the communities we all call home
BIA-Hawaii is in support of Bill 40 which would establish a transient accommodations tax for theCity and County of Honolulu specifically the portion of the bill that would provide for a depositinto the established transit fund
BIA-Hawaii continues to support the transit system on the island of Oahu because it willincrease the availability of housing as transit-oriented development communities are built Thelack of affordable housing and other quality of life issues continue to plague our communitiesImproving transportation will only help to alleviate these issues and without a completed railproject affordable housing goals will not be met Bill 40 will be an important component toensure that the transit system is brought to successful completion
We appreciate the opportunity to express our views on Sill 40
Stefanie Y Sakamotostefsakamotoconsultingcom
tamp 006-629-7501 94-487 Akoki St Ste 213 wwwbiahawakorg
fax 808-629-7701 Waipahu HI 9679 infobiahawaiiorg
From CLK Council Into
Sent Tuesday October 5 2021 657 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Stanford Masui
Phone
Email standamanniasuigmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-202 1
CouncilPHBudgetCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40
YOLIE positionOppose
on the matter
Representing Organization
Organization RAILSOS (Study Other Solutions)
Chairman Waters and members of the councilOur organization opposes this bill as written1 It assumes that a portion of the TAT will be set aside for a transit fund for the rail Thisassumption should not he made without a vigorous discussion as whether funds should hesiphoned off for a project that is no longer financially viable To put it bluntly why ldquothrowgood money after badrdquo
2 The rail is at an inflection point as to whether it should he constructed beyond its currentendpoint at Middle St or further intensive study as to viable alternatives rather thancontinuing on to Ala Moana at a prohibitive cost Past VIA administrators have urged the cityto consider modification of its plans a clear signal that additional funding may not beforthcoming
Wutten3 Transit Oriented Development is a myth Most of the buildina of condos in the KapiolaniTestimony -corridor were planned without any consideration of the rail route This is amply demonstratedby the fact that while HART struggles to come up with a funding plan and completion to AlaMoana is questionable developers are proceeding to build The numbers and actual cost ofaffordable housing in these condos are still too expensive for most people to afford Only onemajor project currently is in Ewa and that was planned years before the rail was developed
4 There are urgent issues that require immediate and priority funding homelessness and themental health system police fire and emergency services funding road and highwayimprovement and cleanup and improvement of tourist recreational areas such as parks andbeaches
5 Rather than triggering economic growth the public will be saddled with enormous debt bythe borrowed funding and operational expense estimated variously at present at $120- $150
million per year Electricity costs will cause operational expense to double This project couldbankrupt the city
6 HART should develop a funding or recovery plan before it comes to the council for aportion of TAT revenues
7 The final Environmental Impact Statement indicates only a minimal effect in alleviatingtraffic congestion which is the major argument in favor of funding the rail- The motoringpublic will not see any improvement in driving times and the studies were made years agoand are no longer reliable
The Council is urged to delete any provision that funds the rail in favor of funding otherurgent prioritiesThank you for your consideration
Te stin]on yAttachment
Accept TermsI
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 730 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Leslie M Inouye
Phone
Email Iinouyel4gmai1com
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHBuddeget
Committee
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position onOppose
the matter
Representing Self
Organization
Chairman Waters and City Council I and many others who have only recently becomeaware of Bill 40 must oppose the the use of the TAT to help fund rail It seems there are any
Writtennumber of backdoor plans to find the funds for rail despite the ongoing litany of items thateither have no clear fix andor no specific bottom line At some point you must realize thatTestimony
the rail is not a sustainable to use the popular contemporary term project and to continuepursuing this immense burden portends financial ruin for all of us Please let common senserule your decisions
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IF 19216820067
1
1 PETER A GANABANbull Business Manager
ampcretarj- Treasure
ALFONSO OlIVERPesident
JOBY NORTh IIlice President
TONI FIG(ERO4Recording Secretary
JAMES DRLrsquoMGOLD JRExecutiye Bd
ORLANDO PAESTEExecutive Board
JOSFIrsquoK jAWEsecutiw Board
ESTIIERAILA4udaor
RUSSELl NAPIIIA-4Auditor
SI lsquoIRK TRAVALINO4uJior
MAITINARAN4YDOamprgearn-dt-Arms
LIUNA Local 3681617 Palarna StreetHonolulu HI 96817
Phone (808) 841-5877Fax (808)847-7829
wiwIocaI368org
LiUNA
TESTIMONY OF THE HAWAII LABORERSrsquo UNION LOCAL 358
Honolulu City CouncilCouncil Meeting
Wednesday October 6 20211000 AM
RE Bill 40(2021) mdash RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATION TAX(TAT)
Chair Waters Vice-chair Kiarsquoaina and Council Members
The Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 and its 5000 working and retired men andwomen across the state of Hawaii stand in strong support of Bill 40(2021) whichestablishes a transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) for the City and Countyof Honolulu
The TAT funding proposed in Bill 40 would allow the City and County of Honoluluto maintain and preserve our island while mitigating the impacts of our naturalresources while also building new and existing infrastructure - including theHonolulu Rail Project This proposed measure would help generate much neededrevenue while having our island visitors help in sharing the cost
Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 respectfully requests that the council takefavorable action on this measure and support Bill 40
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony
Shingayi MasiyaGovernment Relations Director
Feel the Power
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 754 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Paul Yonamine
PhoneEmail paulyonaminecpbbank
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncil
Committee
Agenda Item Testimony and Support for Bill 40Your position
Supporton the mailer
Representing Self
Organization
Testimony and Support for Bill 40
I am Paul Yonamine Executive Chairman of Central Pacific Bank andI am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transientaccommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of thisamount I would respectfully request that a portion be set aside for thecompletion of the Honolulu rail project This new revenue source atourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both ofwhom will use and ride a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steadypace Work on utility relocation also continues Work either out to bidor ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficult section of
Written Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and aTestimony dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of a
system that wilt transform Oahu - Westside families will have theoption to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending anhourdivide in traffic Transit-oriented developments (TOD) to includeaffordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances
Rail and TOD represents the single most important economic driverfor the City and County of Honolulu and the state of Hawaii It alsopresents an invaluable opportunity for more affordable housingdevelopment for generations to come Donrsquot stop and impedeprogress of rail because of past project mismanagement We shouldmake sure the project is fully funded and that capable projectmanagers are hired positioned and empowered to complete thisproject
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support andlook forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 824 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Michael KamakaPhone
Email mkamakabowersandkubotacomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40 - Transient Accommodations TaxYour position
Supporton the matterRepresenting SelfOrganization
October 6 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer and Council MembersHonolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Sill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodation TaxDear Chair Waters and MembersPlease accept this written testimony of my support of Bill 40 toestablish a transient accommodations tax for the City and County ofHonolulu Under Sill 40
Written I believe a transient accommodations tax collects the fair and equitableTestimony amount from visitors who enjoy our City and County of Honolulu today
and in the future The tax will provide funding to mitigate impacts ofvisitors by providing money to support the restoration and maintenanceof public facilitiesAs part of the mitigation to the impacts of visitors I respectfully requesta portion of this transient accommodations tax be set aside to supportthe completion of the Honolulu rail project A rail system will helpmitigate the impacts by visitors in the Honolulu area by providing acleaner alternative of transportation thereby minimizing pollutantscaused by vehicle traffic and congestionAlthough there has been fiscal schedule and constructabilitychallenges there is a renewed hope and optimism for the completionof the rail system A renewable source of funding is the opportunity toposition HART for a successful completion of the rail system With new
1
leadership at HART I am confident HART has the people industrytrust transparency technical expertise and viable action plan neededto move this project ahead Funding through a portion of the transientaccommodation tax will provide a sustainable and dedicated fundingsource to allow construction to continueThank you for allowing me this opportunity to submit my support for Bill40Respectfully
Michael Kamaka PE Principal
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairOctober 52021Page 2
Moreover an additional 30 days after signing would be consistent with the timeframe ofprevious increases in TAT at the state level and recent implementation in other counties Typicallywhen the TAT was increased at the state level in the past the legislation would allow for severalmonths to enable the hotel industry to adjust internal booking systems to properly disclose andcharge for the increased rate Further Maui County recently passed their own county TAT with alevied date of November 12021 which will be approximately 30 days after it is signed into lawMaui County found the additional time to be a fair comprise to allow the hotel industry to accountfor the County TAT
Based upon the foregoing MVWC recommends the following amendments to Bill 40
1 Amend Section 7 to state ldquoThis ordinance takes effect upon its approval The transientaccommodations tax established by this ordinance is considered levied 30 days afterapprovalrdquo
Mahalo for your consideration of these amendments
Aloha
Dcnis EbrillSenior Vice PresidentMarriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation
Evan Cueqvimanaka-asatocpm
AQU AbullbullA S TO NH OS P I TA LIT V
October 52021
TO Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice ChairMembers of the Honolulu City Council
FR Aqua-Aston Hospitality
RE Comments on Bill 40 Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
Aloha Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiarsquoaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Thank you for allowing Aqua-Aston Hospitality LLC (ldquoAqua-Astonrdquo) to provideComments and Amendments to Bill 40 establishing a transient accommodations tax for the Cityand County of Honolulu Aqua-Aston has engaged in hotel and resort management in the state ofHawaii for over 75 years
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (ldquoCountyTATrdquo) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gloss rental proceeds derivedfrom the iltraishing of transient accommodations Ever transient accommodation broker travelagency and tour packager tat arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shallpay the County TAT Pursuant to Section 7 the new County TAT is considered levied on theeffective date of Bill 40
AquamdashAston understands the Countyrsquos intentions in establishing the County TAT inresponse to Act I Special Session Laws of Hawairsquo i which stripped the County of allocated StateTransient Accommodations Tax Nevertheless we have concerns with the implementation ofthe additional 3 percent increase Having the County TAT levied upon approval puts hoteloperators at a disadvantage Hotel operators 1) will not be able to disclose the County TAT toguests who have already booked in advance of or on the effective date nor 2) sufficient time toadjust booking systems and rental agreements to enable them to collect the County TAT on theeffective date Similarly the County TAT would be retroactively applicable to reservations madeon the effective date even though the bill has not yet been signed by the Mayor
Aqua-Aston respectfully requests the County TAT be levied until at a minimum notearlier than 30 days after Bill 40rsquos approval to allow I) appropriate notice to be given to travelpartners 2) booking engines to be updated with the new County TAT and 3) rentalagreements to be modified with the new required language Furthermore an additional 30 daysprovides resorts an adequate amount of time to provide proper notice to guests and coordinate withthird party booking platforms to accommodate the Count)rsquo TAT
Office 820 MilHani St Ste 600 Honolulu HI 96813 T 803-931-1400MaiHrig Address 6649 Westwood Blvd Orlando FL 32821
Moreover an additional 30 days after signing would be consistent with the timeframe ofprevious increases in TAT at the state level and recent implementation in other counties Typicallywhen the TAT was increased at the state level in the past the legislation would allow for severalmonths to enable the hotel industry to adjust internal booking systems to properly disclose andcharge for the increased rate Further Maui County recently passed their own county TAT with alevied date of November 1 202L which will be approximately 30 days after it is signed into lawMaui County found the additional time to be a fair compromise to allow the hotel industry toaccount for the County TAT
Accordingly Aqua-Aston recommends the following amendment to Bill 40
1 Amend Section 7 to state ldquoThis ordinance takes effect upon its approval The transientaccommodations tax established by this ordinance is considered levied 30 days afterapprovalrdquo
Mahalo for your consideration of these amendments
Respectfully submitted
Denis EbrillAqua Aston Hospitality LLC Managing Director
Evan Dueeouecjmanaka-asatocorn
Office 820 Mililani St Ste 600 Honolulu HI 96813 1808-931-1400Mailing Address 6649 Westwood Blvd Orlando FL 32821
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 1047 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Evan CuePhone
Email eoueimanaka-asatocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40Your position on the
Commentmatter
Representing Organization
Organization ARDA Hawaii
Please find attached ARDA Hawaiirsquos Testimony providingWritten Testimonycomments on Bill 40
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and1Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
1
October 5 2021
TO Councilmember Tommy Waters Chair
Councilmember Esther Kiaaina Vice- Chair
Members of the Honolulu City Council
FR AMERICAN RESORT DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION ndash HAWAII (ARDA Hawaii)
RE Comments on Bill 40 (Bill 40) RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT
ACCOMMODATIONS TAX (ESTABLISHING A TRANSIENT
ACCOMMODATIONS TAX FOR THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU
PROVIDE FOR ITS IMPOSITION AND DISPOSITION AND FACILITATE THE
RECEIPT AND DEPOSIT OF THE REVENUES DERIVED FROM THE TRANSIENT
ACCOMMODATIONS TAX)
Aloha Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Thank you for allowing ARDA Hawaii to submit testimony providing Comments and
Amendments to Bill 40 establishing a transient accommodations tax for the City and County of
Honolulu ARDA Hawaii is the local chapter of the trade association for the timeshare industry
Timeshare is an important and stabilizing part of the tourism industry and Honolulus economy
Timeshare owners have made a long-term commitment to Honolulu by purchasing and owning
real property in the County These owners are consistent and dependable visitors who bring
substantial tax dollars and continue to come even during periods of economic downturn
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (County
TAT) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gross rental proceeds derived
from the furnishing of transient accommodations Every transient accommodation broker travel
agency and tour packager that arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shall
pay the County TAT Further every time share vacation plan must be represented by a plan
manager Pursuant to Section 7 the new County TAT is considered levied on the effective date of
Bill 40
ARDA Hawaii understands the need for the County to establish the County TAT
however we have concerns with the timing of the application of the additional 3 percent
increase Having the County TAT levied upon approval puts hotel operators at a disadvantage
Essentially this would mean that the County TAT would be retroactively applicable to
2
reservations made on the effective date even though the bill has not been signed by the Mayor
Furthermore hotel operators will not be able to 1) disclose the new tax to guests in advance and
2) adjust booking systems and rental agreements to collect the new tax from guests after the
County TAT has been officially established In turn operators will need to pay for the County
TAT themselves for reservations on the effective date
Moreover timeshare resorts will need to update their Hawaii disclosure statements and
file with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) This is often a time-
consuming process requiring approval from the DCCA Having Bill 40 be levied upon approval
will lead to inadequate disclosure to customers Imposing the County TAT in this manner will
make it impossible for developers and operators to provide full and fair disclosure to buyers
owners and other occupants
Accordingly ARDA Hawaii respectfully requests the County TAT be levied at a
minimum not earlier than 30 days after Bill 40s approval to allow 1) appropriate notice to be
given to travel partners that the law has been signed 2) hotel operators to charge for the
County TAT that is officially passed 3) booking engines to be updated with the new County
TAT and 4) rental agreements to be modified with the new required language Further the any
additional time will provide developers and timeshare operators time to update disclosure
statements with DCCA and provide consumers with full and fair disclosure
Specifically ARDA Hawaii recommends the following amendment to Bill 40
1 Amend Section 7 to state This ordinance takes effect upon its approval The transient
accommodations tax established by this ordinance is considered levied 30 days after
approval
Mahalo for your consideration of our comments We look forward to working with the
Council on implementing a policy that will enhance the ability of developers and operators to
comply with the new existing laws and requirements that compel fair and full disclosure of the
County TAT to consumers
Respectfully Submitted
Mitchell A Imanaka
Chair
American Resort Development Association of Hawaii
HAWAII OPERATING ENGINEERSINDusTRY STABILIZATION FuND
(ccedilg) 1
lsquoheftzc cqr ltnagth ant orkrn ngctaer(a a Ut
October 5 2021
Honorable Tommy Waters Honolulu City Council ChairHonorable Esther Kiarsquoaacuteina Honolulu City Council Vice ChairHonorable Members of the Honolulu City Council
RE Bill 40(2021) Relating to the transient accommodations tax (Establishing a transient
accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and
facilitate the receipt and deposit of the revenues derived from the transient accommodations tax)
Chair Waters
My name is Pane Meatoga Ill and I am the Community Liaison representing the Hawaii OperatingEngineers Industry Stabilization Fund (HOEISF) We are a labor management fund representing 3000unionized members in heavy engineering site work and 500 general contractors specializing in heavy siteand vertical construction Our organization would like to offer our written testimony in support of Bill40(2021)
Construction of the rait guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utility relocationalso continues Currently construction work has either been bid out or is ready to start the bidingprocess and design work is ongoing for the most difficult section of Dillingham Boulevard We aregetting closer to the finish line and members of Operating Engineers Local 3 and other trade unions arehard at work making this project a reality
We believe a dedicated local revenue source that is not from real property taxes will allow for thecompleUon of a rail system that lsquoArsquoill transform Oahu for the benefit of future generations A fixedpercentage of the Cityrsquos Transient Accommodation Tax (TAT) dedicated to rail is exactly what the countyneeds now to continue this project We recommend that the Honolulu City Council consider allocatinga percentage of the Countyrsquos TAT to the Honolulu Rail Project
We appreciate the Honolulu City Council taking up this bill We look forward to Bill 40 progressingthrough the legislative process and we look forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
Sincerely
Pane Meatoga IllHawaii Operating Engineers Industry Stabilization Fund
pnceuroh pciLccrn
DUHO1IFONjasorsca4 ampuatildeder
HAWAII
October 52021
Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairMembers of the Honolulu City Council
RE Comments on Bill 40 (ldquoBill 40rdquo) Rclating to the Transient Accommodations TaxHearing date Wednesday October 6 2021 at 1000 AM
Aloha Chair Waters Vicc Chair Kiarsquoaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Mahalo for the opportunity to submit testimony on behalf of DR Horton Hawaii LLC(ldquoDR Hortonrdquo) in Support of Bill 40 relating to the transient accommodations tax DR Hortonis one of Hawaiirsquos largest home builders and has been providing affordable housing and first-timebuyer homes for Hawaiirsquos families throughout Oahu for nearly fifty years
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (ldquoCountyTATrdquo) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gross rental proceeds derivedfrom the furnishing of transient accommodations Every transient accommodation broker travelagency and tour packagDr that arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shallpay the County TAT Additionally Bill 40 allocates percentages of the tax revenue generated bythe County TAT into I) the general fund 2) the transit fund established under Chapter 6 Article61 and 3) a special account in the general fund specifically used to mitigate the impacts of visitorson public facilities including the restoration and maintenance of beaches and parks
Prinarily DR Horton supports an allocation of the County TAT to be dedicated tofunding the rail project We favor a fixed allocation of funding that will enable the city to finishand maintain the project in a fiscally responsible way allowing the rail project to be completedwithout raising property taxes or endangering the Countyrsquos bond rating Furthermore funding therail project will restore confidence with the FTA and potentially unlock much needed federalfunding
Additionally the completion of the rail project will directly influence the creation of asignificant inventory of much needed affordable housing Completing the rail project willincentivize transit oriented development around the downtown and Ala Moana rail stationsprojected to create an additional 11600 housing units Failing to complete the rail project will putus that much further behind the curve in reaching our collective affordable housing goals
Dahu Maui Hawaii Island Kauai
130 Merchant Street Suite 112 Honolulu Hawaii 96813 8085215661
wwwdrhortoncomhawaii
Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairOctober 52021Page 2
Finally completion of the rail has the added benefit of decreasing our dependance onimported oil and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging multi-modal forms oftransportation that are both walkable and bikeable consistent with the Cityrsquos long term planninggoals Further the completion of the rail project will create a much needed connection betweenmaster planned communities in Ewa and downtown Honolulu enhancing the quality life forfamilies living in West Oahu
In summary DR Horton supports Bill 40 and the proposed allocations Mahalo for yourtime and consideration It is very much appreciated Should you have any questions please donot hesitate to contact me at 808-782-4109 or ttonakicdrhortoneom
Sincerely
9KTracy TonakiSenior Vice President
Evan Quoeoueirnanaka-asatoeom
1065 Ahua StreetHonolulu H 96819Phone 808-833-1681 FAX 839-4167Email jfbullfccedileaIigcaQia (iINERAI (lsquo()NrIAuIORS ASSOCIATION OF I IAWAIIWebsite wwwgcahawoiiore
Quality People Quality Projects
October 162021
Councilman Tommy Waters ChairMembers of the City CouncilCity amp County of the Honolulu CityHonolulu HI 96813
Re Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the City Council
The General Contractors Association of Hawaii (GCA) is an organization comprised ofapproximately five hundred (500) general contractors subcontractors and construction relatedfirms The GCA was established in 1932 and is the largest construction association in the Stateof Hawaii Our mission is to elevate Hawaiirsquos construction industry and strengthen thefoundation of our community
GCA is in STRONG SUPPORT of Bill 40 which establishes a transient accommodations taxfor the City and County of Honolulu
Of this amount we respectfully request that a portion be set aside for the completion of theI lonolulu rail project This new revenue source a tourist tax comes from our visitors rather thanour residents both of whom will use and ridc a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utilityrelocation also continues A dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of asystem that will transform Oahu Westsidc families will have the option to ride the rail to workand school rather than spending an hour-4- in traffic
Further transit-oriented developments include affordable units along the route This will helpaddress our housing shortage asll600 housing units along the downtown and Ala Moana railstations will be completed as a result of the TOD planning This creates multi-modals form oftransportation that allow for walkable bikeable communities and safe streets for families
Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony in support of Bill 40
Ryan Sakuda
ryan(gcahawaiiorg
-4rsquo
a4714rdquo t014 5n
Testimony by Harry SaundersPresident Castle amp Cooke Hawairsquoi
October 5 2021
City and County of Honolulu City CouncilRegarding
BILL 40 (2021)RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS TAX
SUPPORT WITH COMMENTS
Chair amp Presiding Officer Tommy Waters Vice Chair Esther Kiarsquoaumlina and Members of the City Council
I am Harry Saunders Presidcnt of Castle amp Cookc Hawairsquoi Thank you for the opportunity to submittcstimony regarding Bill 40 (2021)
Castic amp Cooke Hawairsquoi supports the intent of Bill 40 that will dedicate a portion of the transientaccommodations tax into a transportation fund It is critical that this bill have a fixed percentage of thetransient accommodations tax dedicated towards the funding of the rail so the city can finish the projectin a fiscally responsible way without raising property taxes and endangering our cityrsquos bond rating
Allocating a fixed percentage of the transient accommodations tax to fund the rail transit project will havelong temi benefits to visitors and kamarsquoaina alike
Rail will provide multi-modal opportunities giving residents transportation options It will help reducethe dependence on vehicles and its requisite imported oils with overall benefits to the health of ourenvironment Rail will reduce commute times for residents living in outlying communities The timethey gain back will enhance their quality of life
It also provides housing and redevelopment opportunities to communities With this redevelopmentcomes affordable housing Affordable housing planned in Transit Oriented Development for thedowntown and Ala Moana rail stations is a combined 11600 housing units
Allocating a fixed percentage of the TAT funding to Rail will pay for the ongoing operations andmaintenance of the system after construction has been completed again without the need to raiseproperty taxes
Mahalo for your consideration of my testimony Should you have any questions please feel free tocontact us
Harry Saunders Garret MatsunamiPresident Vice President Residential OperationsCastle amp Cooke Hawairsquoi Castle amp Cooke Hawairsquoifsakai(i2eastlecookeeom gmatsunamicastlecookecomPhone 548-4884 Phone 626-3625llcQmacastIecookecom
680 Iwilei Road Box 510 Honolulu Hawaii 96817Phone (808) 548-4811 Fax (808) 548-6690
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 110 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mufi HannemannPhoneEmail mhannemanncopyhawaBlodgingorgMeeting Date 10-06-2021CouncilPH
CouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40Your position
Commenton the matter
Representing Organization
Organization Hawairsquoi Lodging amp Tourism AssociationTestimony ofMufi HannemannPresident amp CEOHawaii Lodging amp Tourism Association
Honolulu City CouncilBill 40 (2021)October 6 2021
Chair Waters and members of the Honolulu City Council mahalo forthe opportunity to submit testimony on behalf of the Hawaii Lodging ampTourism Association the statersquos largest private sector visitor industryorganization
WrittenTestimony The Hawaii Lodging amp Tourism Associationmdashnearly 700 members
strong representing more than 50000 hotel rooms and nearly 40000lodging workersmdashstrongly opposed the passage of House Bill 862which among myriad other issues stripped the State TransientAccommodations Tax (TAT) allocation to the counties and allowed forup to an additional three percent surcharge to be levied on lodgingproperties The surcharge proposed by this measure represents a 29increase to the TAT that comes at a highly inopportune time for anindustry that has been drastically affected by the pandemic and travelrestrictions However with the veto override by the Legislature andthe ultimate passage of HB 862 we recognize the financial position inwhich the City amp County of Honolulu finds itself and the need todeliberate on the introduced bill As the latest version of Bill 40 (2020)does not stipulate the percentages by which the collected tax monies
will be divided between the general fund transit fund and theunnamed visitor impact fund we would like to provide comments onthe proposed measure at this time
As the vast majority of monies raised by the TATmdashand the new threepercent surchargemdashwill undoubtedly come from the pockets of visitorsit is our position that the lionrsquos share of these funds should be utilizedto address tourism related needs and the impacts created by travelersto Hawaii The opportunities in this regard are seemingly endless andcould include more routine county tasks such as road refinishing andupdates to our infrastructure but should also be used on projects moredirectly associated with tourism impacts like trail management beachand park maintenance additional support for first responders and theprovision of adequate public safety staffing at beaches and other Cityinstallations
We are all aware of the discussions currently happening in thecommunity that focus upon tourism its impact on our naturalresources and communities and the significant role it plays in oureconomy Anti-tourism sentiments are at an all-time high and both thetourism industry and the community are working to strike a finebalance that suits both residents and visitors to our home Relegatinga significant portion of funds generated by the surcharge to the tourismimpact fund would ensure that the City is appropriately addressing thevarious issues surrounding tourism with visitor dollars and would maketransparency in the process that much more likely The HawaiiTourism Authorityrsquos Destination Management Action Plan processmdashwhich aims to better manage tourism for our entire statemdashhas beencompleted for Oahu and this would be an ideal jumping off point tobegin discussion of how surcharge funds are utilized for some of theirpriorities Finally we would also like to better understand who willoversee the special tourism impact fund and ensure that said funds willbe used for their intended purposes through a transparent process
We look forward to a robust public discourse on this measure andthank you for the opportunity to provide these comments
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
Mobi[e 8084288717
c EmaH indascFarzschtzcoIlabortvecoin- lsquo- 5chatzcohaboratvecomcollaborative
October 5 2021
Via email to Honolulu City Council
SUBJECT Bill 40(2021) mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations TaxCouncil Meeting October 6 2021 1000am
Dear Council Members
I am submitting written testimony to offer comments to Bill 40
This bill must have a fixed percentage of the TAT dedicated to funding the rail to avoidraising property taxes or jeopardizing our bond rating
Irsquove been a housing advocate and developer for the last 20 years and have supported effortsto create multi-modal neighborhoods in the primary urban core If a fixed percentage of atleast half of the TAT to the county goes to rail construction operations and rail focusedactivities such as TOD it will help create ripe conditions for housing redevelopment andwalkable communities Rail is also a catalyst to begin the efforts to bring back sociallyequitable planning efforts to disadvantaged neighborhoods on Dahu Without a dedicatedsource of funding we lose so much more in terms of equitable opportunities for Oahursquoscommunity and future generations
Thank you again for the opportunity to submit this testimony If there are any questions or ifadditional information is needed please do not hesitate to contact me at (808)428-8717
Warmest Regards
Linda Schatz
Principal
HAWAII REGIONAL COUNCIL OF
CARPENTERS
October 6 2021
City Council
City amp County of Honolulu
Councilmember Tommy Waters Chair
Councilmember Esther Kiarsquoatildeina Vice Chair
Statement of the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters mdash SUPPORT for Bill 40 (2021)mdashRelating to thetransient accommodations tax
Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiarsquoatildeina and Members of the Council
The Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters would like to offer their support for Bill 40 relating to thetransient accommodations tax
Specifically this bill must contain a fixed percentage of the TAT that is dedicated to funding for rail sothe city can finish the project in fiscally responsible way without the need to raise property taxes
Dedicating a percentage of the TAT will also pay for the ongoing operations and maintenance of thesystem after construction has been completed again without the need to raise property taxes
Modernizing our infrastructure is important piece of the Biden administrationrsquos plan to ldquoBuild BackBetterrdquo Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will restore confidence with the FTA andcould potentially unlock additional federal funding opportunities
The downtown and Ala Moana rail stations will have a combined 11600 housing units as a result of theTransit Orientated Development planning and without a completed Rail project TOD and our affordablehousing goals cannot be met
Mass transit will decrease our dependance on imported oil reduce our greenhouse gas emissions andallow for the creation of walkable bikeable communities and safe streets for families
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has studied the impact of public transportation systems and rail isassociated with reductions in several health risk factors such as motor vehicle crashes air pollution andphysical inactivity
STATE HEADQUARTERS amp BUSINESS OFFICESOAIIU 1311 Hoiighiailirig SEreetHonnlulu Hawaii 96S17rsquo2711 bull Ph (808) 847-5761 Fax (808) 440-9188
111W OFFICE 525 Kilauca Avenue Room 205 Fur Hawaii 967203050 bull Ph (808) 935-8575 lOx (808) 935-8576KONA OFFICE 75-126 Lunapule RoadKajlua-Kona Hawaii 96740-2106 bull Ph (808) 329-7355 Fax (808) 326-9376
MAUI OFFICE 330 Hookahi StreetWailuku Maui 96793-1449 bull Ph (808) 2426891 Fax (808) 242-5961IA[JAI OFFICE KuIjo Medical CEr Bldg3-3295 Kuhio HwySuiteZOiLihue Kauai 96766-1040 Ph(SO8) 245-8511 Fax (808) 245-8911
A completed rail system will afford greater transportation options for Honolulu especially for seniors
and those who cannot afford the high costs of owning a vehicle
And it will enhance the quality life for leeward families who spend hours in traffic each day
Mahalo for your consideration
Nathaniel KinneynRinncyhrcc-bwflccm
MOVEOAHUFORWARD
October 6 2021
Chairman Tommy Waters and members of the Honolulu City Council
Aloha my name is Jennifer Sabas and I serve as the Executive Director of Move Oahu Forward a nonprofit organization supporting the Honolulu rail project as an integral part of a robust publictransportation system on Oahu I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish atransient accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of this amount I wouldrespectfully request that a portion be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project Thisnew revenue source a tourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both of whosewill ride the finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utility relocationalso continues Work either out to bid or ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficultsection of Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and a dedicated localrevenue source will allow for the completion of a system that will transform Oahu - Westside familieswill have the option to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending an hour+ in trafficTransit-oriented developments to include affordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances for many Oahu families
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support and look forward to a rigorousdebate and discussion in the months ahead
Aloha
Jennifer SabasExecutive DirectorMove Oahu ForwardP0 Box 1329Honolulu HI 96807
jennifermoveoahuforwardorg
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 353 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Nelisa Asato
Phone
Email nasatomatsoncomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee CouncilAgenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter SupportRepresenting Organization
Organization Matson Navigation Company IncWritten Testimony
Testimony AttachmentAccept Terms and Agreement 1
IP 19216820067
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 419 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Denise Boisvert
Phone
Email infofordeniseyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
YES I FULLY SUPPORT Bill 40 proposed by ChairWaters
Written Testimony All the requirements in the proposed bill are EXCELLENT
Mahalo to all for your kind consideration to more this billforward
Testimony Attachment
AcceptTerms and1
Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 418 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mary Kate Duggan
Phone
Email marykateelizabethduggangmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Resolution 21-234
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
Written Testimony
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and Agreement 1
lP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 423 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Kim Jorgensen
Phone
Email hawaiicondoyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on thematter
Support
Representing SelfOrganization
Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony on Bill 40 IWritten Testimonyfully SUPPORT it
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and1Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
HAwAII STATE AFL-CIO888 Mililani Street Suite 501 bull Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Randy Perreira Telephone (808)597-1441President Fax (808) 593-2149
City CouncilCity and County of Honolulu
Testimony byHawairsquoi State AFL-CIO
October 6 2021
Testimony in SUPPORT of Bill 40 Relating tothe Transient Accommodations Tax
The Hawairsquoi State AFL-CIO is a state federation of 74 affiliate local unions and councils with over68000 members across both public and private sectors We appreciate the opportunity to testify insupport of Bill 40
Of all counties in the state swift measures must be taken to mitigate the negative impact overtourismhas on Honolulursquos infrastructure Traffic congestion in Honolulu is exacerbated by the visitorindustry Establishing a three percent transient accommodations tax is key to generating the revenueneeded to invest in Orsquoahursquos public transportation system The Honolulu Rail Transit Project is apublic good that will benefit 0rsquo ahu workers residents and visitors alike by providing a publictransportation option that complements The Bus and further relieves traffic congestion where it ismost needed
We appreciate your consideration of our testimony in support of Bill 40 and strongly urge you to passthis bill
ectfullysnitted
Randy PerreiraPresident
Dion DizonQfbwtcio org
HAWAII APPLESEEDCENTER FOR LAW amp ECONOMIC JUSTTCE
Testimony of the Hawairsquoi Appleseed Center for Law and Economic JusticeSUPPORT mdash Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
City and County of HonoluluWednesday October 6 2021 10AM
Aloha Chair Waters and Councilmembers
We at Hawaii Appleseed strongly support Bill 40 and efforts to use TAT funds to complete therail project as it will dramatically increase the housing stock in TOD areas and create efficientand equitable access to transit To support the affordable housing that Oahu desperately needswe must finish the rail and provide the subsidies needed to ensure that housing is prioritized forlocal residents and stays affordable over the long-term
In addition we urge the council to provide that a fixed percentage of the TAT be allocatedto rail funding so the project can be completed in a fiscally responsible way with a securefunding stream Ideally all of the necessary funds for completion and ongoing maintenance cancome from this dedicated funding which is paid for by visitors to Oahu
Finishing the rail will enable thousands of homes to be built along the rail corridor Withappropriate affordability restrictions and public support these homes can address the severeshortage of affordable housing here on Oahu A recent 2020 study prepared by PBR Hawaii forthe Hawaii Office of Planning estimates the addition of 50900 residential units around the EastKapolei Stadium and lwilei TOD areas alone1rsquo Although these homes will be built in phasesover the next 40 years it is clear that development around rail can substantially contribute to oursupply of affordable housing According to the 2019 Hawaii Housing Planning Study Oahu willneed an additional 22168 residential units by 2025 with half of the need for households withcombined incomes of $75000 or less
Rail is needed to alleviate traffic and provide walkable neighborhoodsAs Oahu plans for the future we should be focused on housing constructed in walkable urbanneighborhoods with easy access to amenities parks and transit To support the smartaffordable and sustainable growth that is needed we should be building around rail-but first wemust complete the rail Access to rail offers an alternative to driving is likely to reduce traffic for
1 July 2020 State Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning and Implementation Project for theisland of Dahu by PBR Hawaii for the Hawaii State Office of Planning Attachment C
communities along the Leeward Coast and wHI create a more equitable way to access theurban core of Honolulu
We strongly urge the council to pass Bill 40 and to continue to work towards creating acomprehensive affordable housing strategy for the residents of Oahu Completing the rail is vitalto enable housing construction but it will take further efforts to ensure that a majority of housingis reserved for local residents and stays affordable over time
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify
Kenna Stormogipsonkennahibudgetorg
October 5 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer And Council Members
Honolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accomodation Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members
I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transient accommodations tax forthe City and County of Honolulu In addition I respectfully request a portion of this generatedtax to be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project We all realize the pastchallenges of the rail project but now have a great opportunity to position HART for a successfulcompletion of the Rail system
With the new leadership at HART I am more confident than ever that we have the managementindustry tmst transparency technical expertise and action plan required to move this projectahead This dedicated funding source which will be shouldered by our tourist will allowconstruction to continue toward a successful completion for ALL of us This will also spurTransit Oriented Deveiopment around the system to help create housing and businessopportunities in our communities
Thank you for this opportunity to submit my support for Bill 40 and to generate an additionalrevenue source for HART
Respectfully
Dexter Kubota PEVice President
dkubota bowersandkubotacom
a a aareg
aqJrsquoJ1001 Bishop Street I Suite 625 I Honolulu HI 96213-28301-866-295-7282 I Fax 808-536-2882
bull aarporghi I aarphiaarporg I twittercomAARPHawaiI
H auva i I
Honolulu City CouncilOctober 6 2021 1000 am
TO The Honorable Tommy Waters ChairpersonRE Bill 40mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the Committee
My name is Kealirsquoi Lopez and I am the State Director for AARP Hawairsquoi AARP is a membershiporganization of people age fifty and over with nearly 145000 members in HawaiiAARP Hawaii supports Bill 40 which seeks to establish transient accommodations tax (TAT) forthe City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and facilitate thereceipt and deposit of the revenue derived
We respectfully wish to add our comment and support for a dedicated percentage of the TATthat will support the mass transit project Having an ongoing dedicated source of funding willhelp pay for mass transit project the ongoing operations and maintenance of the system afterconstruction has been completed and without the need to raise property taxes
AARP has been a strong proponent of an age-friendly community that includesbull Multi-modal forms of transportation for people of all ages Rail affords another
transportation option for Honolulu especially for seniors and those who cannot affordthe high costs of owning a vehicle
bull Transit Orient Developments (TaD) with affordable housings built within walking andbiking distance of major rail stations
Bill 40 provides an opportunity for the City to modernize and complete our transportationinfrastructure Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will help restore confidencewith the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) and could potentially unlock additionalfederal funding opportunities and other public sources to finish the project Thank you for theopportunity to testify in support of Bill 40
Sincerely
lsquos--rsquo hr
Kealirsquoi Lopez State Director
klopezaarporg
BIABUILDING INDUSTRY
A S SOC AT ION ana
TESTIMONY TO THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCILHONOLULU HALE
COUNCIL CHAMBERSOctober 6 2021
900 AM
Honorable Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Council
RE Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
My name is Daryl Takamiya Chair of the Government Relations Committee of the BuildingIndustry Association of Hawaii (BIA-HawaN) Chartered in 1955 the Building IndustryAssociation of Hawaii is a professional trade organization affiliated with the National Associationof Home Builders representing the building industry and its associates BIA-HawaH takes aleadership role in unifying and promoting the interests of the industry to enhance the quality oflife for the people of Hawah Our members build the communities we all call home
BIA-Hawaii is in support of Bill 40 which would establish a transient accommodations tax for theCity and County of Honolulu specifically the portion of the bill that would provide for a depositinto the established transit fund
BIA-Hawaii continues to support the transit system on the island of Oahu because it willincrease the availability of housing as transit-oriented development communities are built Thelack of affordable housing and other quality of life issues continue to plague our communitiesImproving transportation will only help to alleviate these issues and without a completed railproject affordable housing goals will not be met Bill 40 will be an important component toensure that the transit system is brought to successful completion
We appreciate the opportunity to express our views on Sill 40
Stefanie Y Sakamotostefsakamotoconsultingcom
tamp 006-629-7501 94-487 Akoki St Ste 213 wwwbiahawakorg
fax 808-629-7701 Waipahu HI 9679 infobiahawaiiorg
From CLK Council Into
Sent Tuesday October 5 2021 657 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Stanford Masui
Phone
Email standamanniasuigmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-202 1
CouncilPHBudgetCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40
YOLIE positionOppose
on the matter
Representing Organization
Organization RAILSOS (Study Other Solutions)
Chairman Waters and members of the councilOur organization opposes this bill as written1 It assumes that a portion of the TAT will be set aside for a transit fund for the rail Thisassumption should not he made without a vigorous discussion as whether funds should hesiphoned off for a project that is no longer financially viable To put it bluntly why ldquothrowgood money after badrdquo
2 The rail is at an inflection point as to whether it should he constructed beyond its currentendpoint at Middle St or further intensive study as to viable alternatives rather thancontinuing on to Ala Moana at a prohibitive cost Past VIA administrators have urged the cityto consider modification of its plans a clear signal that additional funding may not beforthcoming
Wutten3 Transit Oriented Development is a myth Most of the buildina of condos in the KapiolaniTestimony -corridor were planned without any consideration of the rail route This is amply demonstratedby the fact that while HART struggles to come up with a funding plan and completion to AlaMoana is questionable developers are proceeding to build The numbers and actual cost ofaffordable housing in these condos are still too expensive for most people to afford Only onemajor project currently is in Ewa and that was planned years before the rail was developed
4 There are urgent issues that require immediate and priority funding homelessness and themental health system police fire and emergency services funding road and highwayimprovement and cleanup and improvement of tourist recreational areas such as parks andbeaches
5 Rather than triggering economic growth the public will be saddled with enormous debt bythe borrowed funding and operational expense estimated variously at present at $120- $150
million per year Electricity costs will cause operational expense to double This project couldbankrupt the city
6 HART should develop a funding or recovery plan before it comes to the council for aportion of TAT revenues
7 The final Environmental Impact Statement indicates only a minimal effect in alleviatingtraffic congestion which is the major argument in favor of funding the rail- The motoringpublic will not see any improvement in driving times and the studies were made years agoand are no longer reliable
The Council is urged to delete any provision that funds the rail in favor of funding otherurgent prioritiesThank you for your consideration
Te stin]on yAttachment
Accept TermsI
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 730 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Leslie M Inouye
Phone
Email Iinouyel4gmai1com
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHBuddeget
Committee
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position onOppose
the matter
Representing Self
Organization
Chairman Waters and City Council I and many others who have only recently becomeaware of Bill 40 must oppose the the use of the TAT to help fund rail It seems there are any
Writtennumber of backdoor plans to find the funds for rail despite the ongoing litany of items thateither have no clear fix andor no specific bottom line At some point you must realize thatTestimony
the rail is not a sustainable to use the popular contemporary term project and to continuepursuing this immense burden portends financial ruin for all of us Please let common senserule your decisions
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IF 19216820067
1
1 PETER A GANABANbull Business Manager
ampcretarj- Treasure
ALFONSO OlIVERPesident
JOBY NORTh IIlice President
TONI FIG(ERO4Recording Secretary
JAMES DRLrsquoMGOLD JRExecutiye Bd
ORLANDO PAESTEExecutive Board
JOSFIrsquoK jAWEsecutiw Board
ESTIIERAILA4udaor
RUSSELl NAPIIIA-4Auditor
SI lsquoIRK TRAVALINO4uJior
MAITINARAN4YDOamprgearn-dt-Arms
LIUNA Local 3681617 Palarna StreetHonolulu HI 96817
Phone (808) 841-5877Fax (808)847-7829
wiwIocaI368org
LiUNA
TESTIMONY OF THE HAWAII LABORERSrsquo UNION LOCAL 358
Honolulu City CouncilCouncil Meeting
Wednesday October 6 20211000 AM
RE Bill 40(2021) mdash RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATION TAX(TAT)
Chair Waters Vice-chair Kiarsquoaina and Council Members
The Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 and its 5000 working and retired men andwomen across the state of Hawaii stand in strong support of Bill 40(2021) whichestablishes a transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) for the City and Countyof Honolulu
The TAT funding proposed in Bill 40 would allow the City and County of Honoluluto maintain and preserve our island while mitigating the impacts of our naturalresources while also building new and existing infrastructure - including theHonolulu Rail Project This proposed measure would help generate much neededrevenue while having our island visitors help in sharing the cost
Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 respectfully requests that the council takefavorable action on this measure and support Bill 40
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony
Shingayi MasiyaGovernment Relations Director
Feel the Power
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 754 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Paul Yonamine
PhoneEmail paulyonaminecpbbank
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncil
Committee
Agenda Item Testimony and Support for Bill 40Your position
Supporton the mailer
Representing Self
Organization
Testimony and Support for Bill 40
I am Paul Yonamine Executive Chairman of Central Pacific Bank andI am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transientaccommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of thisamount I would respectfully request that a portion be set aside for thecompletion of the Honolulu rail project This new revenue source atourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both ofwhom will use and ride a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steadypace Work on utility relocation also continues Work either out to bidor ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficult section of
Written Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and aTestimony dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of a
system that wilt transform Oahu - Westside families will have theoption to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending anhourdivide in traffic Transit-oriented developments (TOD) to includeaffordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances
Rail and TOD represents the single most important economic driverfor the City and County of Honolulu and the state of Hawaii It alsopresents an invaluable opportunity for more affordable housingdevelopment for generations to come Donrsquot stop and impedeprogress of rail because of past project mismanagement We shouldmake sure the project is fully funded and that capable projectmanagers are hired positioned and empowered to complete thisproject
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support andlook forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 824 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Michael KamakaPhone
Email mkamakabowersandkubotacomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40 - Transient Accommodations TaxYour position
Supporton the matterRepresenting SelfOrganization
October 6 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer and Council MembersHonolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Sill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodation TaxDear Chair Waters and MembersPlease accept this written testimony of my support of Bill 40 toestablish a transient accommodations tax for the City and County ofHonolulu Under Sill 40
Written I believe a transient accommodations tax collects the fair and equitableTestimony amount from visitors who enjoy our City and County of Honolulu today
and in the future The tax will provide funding to mitigate impacts ofvisitors by providing money to support the restoration and maintenanceof public facilitiesAs part of the mitigation to the impacts of visitors I respectfully requesta portion of this transient accommodations tax be set aside to supportthe completion of the Honolulu rail project A rail system will helpmitigate the impacts by visitors in the Honolulu area by providing acleaner alternative of transportation thereby minimizing pollutantscaused by vehicle traffic and congestionAlthough there has been fiscal schedule and constructabilitychallenges there is a renewed hope and optimism for the completionof the rail system A renewable source of funding is the opportunity toposition HART for a successful completion of the rail system With new
1
leadership at HART I am confident HART has the people industrytrust transparency technical expertise and viable action plan neededto move this project ahead Funding through a portion of the transientaccommodation tax will provide a sustainable and dedicated fundingsource to allow construction to continueThank you for allowing me this opportunity to submit my support for Bill40Respectfully
Michael Kamaka PE Principal
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
AQU AbullbullA S TO NH OS P I TA LIT V
October 52021
TO Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice ChairMembers of the Honolulu City Council
FR Aqua-Aston Hospitality
RE Comments on Bill 40 Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
Aloha Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiarsquoaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Thank you for allowing Aqua-Aston Hospitality LLC (ldquoAqua-Astonrdquo) to provideComments and Amendments to Bill 40 establishing a transient accommodations tax for the Cityand County of Honolulu Aqua-Aston has engaged in hotel and resort management in the state ofHawaii for over 75 years
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (ldquoCountyTATrdquo) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gloss rental proceeds derivedfrom the iltraishing of transient accommodations Ever transient accommodation broker travelagency and tour packager tat arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shallpay the County TAT Pursuant to Section 7 the new County TAT is considered levied on theeffective date of Bill 40
AquamdashAston understands the Countyrsquos intentions in establishing the County TAT inresponse to Act I Special Session Laws of Hawairsquo i which stripped the County of allocated StateTransient Accommodations Tax Nevertheless we have concerns with the implementation ofthe additional 3 percent increase Having the County TAT levied upon approval puts hoteloperators at a disadvantage Hotel operators 1) will not be able to disclose the County TAT toguests who have already booked in advance of or on the effective date nor 2) sufficient time toadjust booking systems and rental agreements to enable them to collect the County TAT on theeffective date Similarly the County TAT would be retroactively applicable to reservations madeon the effective date even though the bill has not yet been signed by the Mayor
Aqua-Aston respectfully requests the County TAT be levied until at a minimum notearlier than 30 days after Bill 40rsquos approval to allow I) appropriate notice to be given to travelpartners 2) booking engines to be updated with the new County TAT and 3) rentalagreements to be modified with the new required language Furthermore an additional 30 daysprovides resorts an adequate amount of time to provide proper notice to guests and coordinate withthird party booking platforms to accommodate the Count)rsquo TAT
Office 820 MilHani St Ste 600 Honolulu HI 96813 T 803-931-1400MaiHrig Address 6649 Westwood Blvd Orlando FL 32821
Moreover an additional 30 days after signing would be consistent with the timeframe ofprevious increases in TAT at the state level and recent implementation in other counties Typicallywhen the TAT was increased at the state level in the past the legislation would allow for severalmonths to enable the hotel industry to adjust internal booking systems to properly disclose andcharge for the increased rate Further Maui County recently passed their own county TAT with alevied date of November 1 202L which will be approximately 30 days after it is signed into lawMaui County found the additional time to be a fair compromise to allow the hotel industry toaccount for the County TAT
Accordingly Aqua-Aston recommends the following amendment to Bill 40
1 Amend Section 7 to state ldquoThis ordinance takes effect upon its approval The transientaccommodations tax established by this ordinance is considered levied 30 days afterapprovalrdquo
Mahalo for your consideration of these amendments
Respectfully submitted
Denis EbrillAqua Aston Hospitality LLC Managing Director
Evan Dueeouecjmanaka-asatocorn
Office 820 Mililani St Ste 600 Honolulu HI 96813 1808-931-1400Mailing Address 6649 Westwood Blvd Orlando FL 32821
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 1047 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Evan CuePhone
Email eoueimanaka-asatocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40Your position on the
Commentmatter
Representing Organization
Organization ARDA Hawaii
Please find attached ARDA Hawaiirsquos Testimony providingWritten Testimonycomments on Bill 40
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and1Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
1
October 5 2021
TO Councilmember Tommy Waters Chair
Councilmember Esther Kiaaina Vice- Chair
Members of the Honolulu City Council
FR AMERICAN RESORT DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION ndash HAWAII (ARDA Hawaii)
RE Comments on Bill 40 (Bill 40) RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT
ACCOMMODATIONS TAX (ESTABLISHING A TRANSIENT
ACCOMMODATIONS TAX FOR THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU
PROVIDE FOR ITS IMPOSITION AND DISPOSITION AND FACILITATE THE
RECEIPT AND DEPOSIT OF THE REVENUES DERIVED FROM THE TRANSIENT
ACCOMMODATIONS TAX)
Aloha Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Thank you for allowing ARDA Hawaii to submit testimony providing Comments and
Amendments to Bill 40 establishing a transient accommodations tax for the City and County of
Honolulu ARDA Hawaii is the local chapter of the trade association for the timeshare industry
Timeshare is an important and stabilizing part of the tourism industry and Honolulus economy
Timeshare owners have made a long-term commitment to Honolulu by purchasing and owning
real property in the County These owners are consistent and dependable visitors who bring
substantial tax dollars and continue to come even during periods of economic downturn
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (County
TAT) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gross rental proceeds derived
from the furnishing of transient accommodations Every transient accommodation broker travel
agency and tour packager that arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shall
pay the County TAT Further every time share vacation plan must be represented by a plan
manager Pursuant to Section 7 the new County TAT is considered levied on the effective date of
Bill 40
ARDA Hawaii understands the need for the County to establish the County TAT
however we have concerns with the timing of the application of the additional 3 percent
increase Having the County TAT levied upon approval puts hotel operators at a disadvantage
Essentially this would mean that the County TAT would be retroactively applicable to
2
reservations made on the effective date even though the bill has not been signed by the Mayor
Furthermore hotel operators will not be able to 1) disclose the new tax to guests in advance and
2) adjust booking systems and rental agreements to collect the new tax from guests after the
County TAT has been officially established In turn operators will need to pay for the County
TAT themselves for reservations on the effective date
Moreover timeshare resorts will need to update their Hawaii disclosure statements and
file with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) This is often a time-
consuming process requiring approval from the DCCA Having Bill 40 be levied upon approval
will lead to inadequate disclosure to customers Imposing the County TAT in this manner will
make it impossible for developers and operators to provide full and fair disclosure to buyers
owners and other occupants
Accordingly ARDA Hawaii respectfully requests the County TAT be levied at a
minimum not earlier than 30 days after Bill 40s approval to allow 1) appropriate notice to be
given to travel partners that the law has been signed 2) hotel operators to charge for the
County TAT that is officially passed 3) booking engines to be updated with the new County
TAT and 4) rental agreements to be modified with the new required language Further the any
additional time will provide developers and timeshare operators time to update disclosure
statements with DCCA and provide consumers with full and fair disclosure
Specifically ARDA Hawaii recommends the following amendment to Bill 40
1 Amend Section 7 to state This ordinance takes effect upon its approval The transient
accommodations tax established by this ordinance is considered levied 30 days after
approval
Mahalo for your consideration of our comments We look forward to working with the
Council on implementing a policy that will enhance the ability of developers and operators to
comply with the new existing laws and requirements that compel fair and full disclosure of the
County TAT to consumers
Respectfully Submitted
Mitchell A Imanaka
Chair
American Resort Development Association of Hawaii
HAWAII OPERATING ENGINEERSINDusTRY STABILIZATION FuND
(ccedilg) 1
lsquoheftzc cqr ltnagth ant orkrn ngctaer(a a Ut
October 5 2021
Honorable Tommy Waters Honolulu City Council ChairHonorable Esther Kiarsquoaacuteina Honolulu City Council Vice ChairHonorable Members of the Honolulu City Council
RE Bill 40(2021) Relating to the transient accommodations tax (Establishing a transient
accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and
facilitate the receipt and deposit of the revenues derived from the transient accommodations tax)
Chair Waters
My name is Pane Meatoga Ill and I am the Community Liaison representing the Hawaii OperatingEngineers Industry Stabilization Fund (HOEISF) We are a labor management fund representing 3000unionized members in heavy engineering site work and 500 general contractors specializing in heavy siteand vertical construction Our organization would like to offer our written testimony in support of Bill40(2021)
Construction of the rait guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utility relocationalso continues Currently construction work has either been bid out or is ready to start the bidingprocess and design work is ongoing for the most difficult section of Dillingham Boulevard We aregetting closer to the finish line and members of Operating Engineers Local 3 and other trade unions arehard at work making this project a reality
We believe a dedicated local revenue source that is not from real property taxes will allow for thecompleUon of a rail system that lsquoArsquoill transform Oahu for the benefit of future generations A fixedpercentage of the Cityrsquos Transient Accommodation Tax (TAT) dedicated to rail is exactly what the countyneeds now to continue this project We recommend that the Honolulu City Council consider allocatinga percentage of the Countyrsquos TAT to the Honolulu Rail Project
We appreciate the Honolulu City Council taking up this bill We look forward to Bill 40 progressingthrough the legislative process and we look forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
Sincerely
Pane Meatoga IllHawaii Operating Engineers Industry Stabilization Fund
pnceuroh pciLccrn
DUHO1IFONjasorsca4 ampuatildeder
HAWAII
October 52021
Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairMembers of the Honolulu City Council
RE Comments on Bill 40 (ldquoBill 40rdquo) Rclating to the Transient Accommodations TaxHearing date Wednesday October 6 2021 at 1000 AM
Aloha Chair Waters Vicc Chair Kiarsquoaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Mahalo for the opportunity to submit testimony on behalf of DR Horton Hawaii LLC(ldquoDR Hortonrdquo) in Support of Bill 40 relating to the transient accommodations tax DR Hortonis one of Hawaiirsquos largest home builders and has been providing affordable housing and first-timebuyer homes for Hawaiirsquos families throughout Oahu for nearly fifty years
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (ldquoCountyTATrdquo) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gross rental proceeds derivedfrom the furnishing of transient accommodations Every transient accommodation broker travelagency and tour packagDr that arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shallpay the County TAT Additionally Bill 40 allocates percentages of the tax revenue generated bythe County TAT into I) the general fund 2) the transit fund established under Chapter 6 Article61 and 3) a special account in the general fund specifically used to mitigate the impacts of visitorson public facilities including the restoration and maintenance of beaches and parks
Prinarily DR Horton supports an allocation of the County TAT to be dedicated tofunding the rail project We favor a fixed allocation of funding that will enable the city to finishand maintain the project in a fiscally responsible way allowing the rail project to be completedwithout raising property taxes or endangering the Countyrsquos bond rating Furthermore funding therail project will restore confidence with the FTA and potentially unlock much needed federalfunding
Additionally the completion of the rail project will directly influence the creation of asignificant inventory of much needed affordable housing Completing the rail project willincentivize transit oriented development around the downtown and Ala Moana rail stationsprojected to create an additional 11600 housing units Failing to complete the rail project will putus that much further behind the curve in reaching our collective affordable housing goals
Dahu Maui Hawaii Island Kauai
130 Merchant Street Suite 112 Honolulu Hawaii 96813 8085215661
wwwdrhortoncomhawaii
Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairOctober 52021Page 2
Finally completion of the rail has the added benefit of decreasing our dependance onimported oil and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging multi-modal forms oftransportation that are both walkable and bikeable consistent with the Cityrsquos long term planninggoals Further the completion of the rail project will create a much needed connection betweenmaster planned communities in Ewa and downtown Honolulu enhancing the quality life forfamilies living in West Oahu
In summary DR Horton supports Bill 40 and the proposed allocations Mahalo for yourtime and consideration It is very much appreciated Should you have any questions please donot hesitate to contact me at 808-782-4109 or ttonakicdrhortoneom
Sincerely
9KTracy TonakiSenior Vice President
Evan Quoeoueirnanaka-asatoeom
1065 Ahua StreetHonolulu H 96819Phone 808-833-1681 FAX 839-4167Email jfbullfccedileaIigcaQia (iINERAI (lsquo()NrIAuIORS ASSOCIATION OF I IAWAIIWebsite wwwgcahawoiiore
Quality People Quality Projects
October 162021
Councilman Tommy Waters ChairMembers of the City CouncilCity amp County of the Honolulu CityHonolulu HI 96813
Re Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the City Council
The General Contractors Association of Hawaii (GCA) is an organization comprised ofapproximately five hundred (500) general contractors subcontractors and construction relatedfirms The GCA was established in 1932 and is the largest construction association in the Stateof Hawaii Our mission is to elevate Hawaiirsquos construction industry and strengthen thefoundation of our community
GCA is in STRONG SUPPORT of Bill 40 which establishes a transient accommodations taxfor the City and County of Honolulu
Of this amount we respectfully request that a portion be set aside for the completion of theI lonolulu rail project This new revenue source a tourist tax comes from our visitors rather thanour residents both of whom will use and ridc a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utilityrelocation also continues A dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of asystem that will transform Oahu Westsidc families will have the option to ride the rail to workand school rather than spending an hour-4- in traffic
Further transit-oriented developments include affordable units along the route This will helpaddress our housing shortage asll600 housing units along the downtown and Ala Moana railstations will be completed as a result of the TOD planning This creates multi-modals form oftransportation that allow for walkable bikeable communities and safe streets for families
Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony in support of Bill 40
Ryan Sakuda
ryan(gcahawaiiorg
-4rsquo
a4714rdquo t014 5n
Testimony by Harry SaundersPresident Castle amp Cooke Hawairsquoi
October 5 2021
City and County of Honolulu City CouncilRegarding
BILL 40 (2021)RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS TAX
SUPPORT WITH COMMENTS
Chair amp Presiding Officer Tommy Waters Vice Chair Esther Kiarsquoaumlina and Members of the City Council
I am Harry Saunders Presidcnt of Castle amp Cookc Hawairsquoi Thank you for the opportunity to submittcstimony regarding Bill 40 (2021)
Castic amp Cooke Hawairsquoi supports the intent of Bill 40 that will dedicate a portion of the transientaccommodations tax into a transportation fund It is critical that this bill have a fixed percentage of thetransient accommodations tax dedicated towards the funding of the rail so the city can finish the projectin a fiscally responsible way without raising property taxes and endangering our cityrsquos bond rating
Allocating a fixed percentage of the transient accommodations tax to fund the rail transit project will havelong temi benefits to visitors and kamarsquoaina alike
Rail will provide multi-modal opportunities giving residents transportation options It will help reducethe dependence on vehicles and its requisite imported oils with overall benefits to the health of ourenvironment Rail will reduce commute times for residents living in outlying communities The timethey gain back will enhance their quality of life
It also provides housing and redevelopment opportunities to communities With this redevelopmentcomes affordable housing Affordable housing planned in Transit Oriented Development for thedowntown and Ala Moana rail stations is a combined 11600 housing units
Allocating a fixed percentage of the TAT funding to Rail will pay for the ongoing operations andmaintenance of the system after construction has been completed again without the need to raiseproperty taxes
Mahalo for your consideration of my testimony Should you have any questions please feel free tocontact us
Harry Saunders Garret MatsunamiPresident Vice President Residential OperationsCastle amp Cooke Hawairsquoi Castle amp Cooke Hawairsquoifsakai(i2eastlecookeeom gmatsunamicastlecookecomPhone 548-4884 Phone 626-3625llcQmacastIecookecom
680 Iwilei Road Box 510 Honolulu Hawaii 96817Phone (808) 548-4811 Fax (808) 548-6690
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 110 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mufi HannemannPhoneEmail mhannemanncopyhawaBlodgingorgMeeting Date 10-06-2021CouncilPH
CouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40Your position
Commenton the matter
Representing Organization
Organization Hawairsquoi Lodging amp Tourism AssociationTestimony ofMufi HannemannPresident amp CEOHawaii Lodging amp Tourism Association
Honolulu City CouncilBill 40 (2021)October 6 2021
Chair Waters and members of the Honolulu City Council mahalo forthe opportunity to submit testimony on behalf of the Hawaii Lodging ampTourism Association the statersquos largest private sector visitor industryorganization
WrittenTestimony The Hawaii Lodging amp Tourism Associationmdashnearly 700 members
strong representing more than 50000 hotel rooms and nearly 40000lodging workersmdashstrongly opposed the passage of House Bill 862which among myriad other issues stripped the State TransientAccommodations Tax (TAT) allocation to the counties and allowed forup to an additional three percent surcharge to be levied on lodgingproperties The surcharge proposed by this measure represents a 29increase to the TAT that comes at a highly inopportune time for anindustry that has been drastically affected by the pandemic and travelrestrictions However with the veto override by the Legislature andthe ultimate passage of HB 862 we recognize the financial position inwhich the City amp County of Honolulu finds itself and the need todeliberate on the introduced bill As the latest version of Bill 40 (2020)does not stipulate the percentages by which the collected tax monies
will be divided between the general fund transit fund and theunnamed visitor impact fund we would like to provide comments onthe proposed measure at this time
As the vast majority of monies raised by the TATmdashand the new threepercent surchargemdashwill undoubtedly come from the pockets of visitorsit is our position that the lionrsquos share of these funds should be utilizedto address tourism related needs and the impacts created by travelersto Hawaii The opportunities in this regard are seemingly endless andcould include more routine county tasks such as road refinishing andupdates to our infrastructure but should also be used on projects moredirectly associated with tourism impacts like trail management beachand park maintenance additional support for first responders and theprovision of adequate public safety staffing at beaches and other Cityinstallations
We are all aware of the discussions currently happening in thecommunity that focus upon tourism its impact on our naturalresources and communities and the significant role it plays in oureconomy Anti-tourism sentiments are at an all-time high and both thetourism industry and the community are working to strike a finebalance that suits both residents and visitors to our home Relegatinga significant portion of funds generated by the surcharge to the tourismimpact fund would ensure that the City is appropriately addressing thevarious issues surrounding tourism with visitor dollars and would maketransparency in the process that much more likely The HawaiiTourism Authorityrsquos Destination Management Action Plan processmdashwhich aims to better manage tourism for our entire statemdashhas beencompleted for Oahu and this would be an ideal jumping off point tobegin discussion of how surcharge funds are utilized for some of theirpriorities Finally we would also like to better understand who willoversee the special tourism impact fund and ensure that said funds willbe used for their intended purposes through a transparent process
We look forward to a robust public discourse on this measure andthank you for the opportunity to provide these comments
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
Mobi[e 8084288717
c EmaH indascFarzschtzcoIlabortvecoin- lsquo- 5chatzcohaboratvecomcollaborative
October 5 2021
Via email to Honolulu City Council
SUBJECT Bill 40(2021) mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations TaxCouncil Meeting October 6 2021 1000am
Dear Council Members
I am submitting written testimony to offer comments to Bill 40
This bill must have a fixed percentage of the TAT dedicated to funding the rail to avoidraising property taxes or jeopardizing our bond rating
Irsquove been a housing advocate and developer for the last 20 years and have supported effortsto create multi-modal neighborhoods in the primary urban core If a fixed percentage of atleast half of the TAT to the county goes to rail construction operations and rail focusedactivities such as TOD it will help create ripe conditions for housing redevelopment andwalkable communities Rail is also a catalyst to begin the efforts to bring back sociallyequitable planning efforts to disadvantaged neighborhoods on Dahu Without a dedicatedsource of funding we lose so much more in terms of equitable opportunities for Oahursquoscommunity and future generations
Thank you again for the opportunity to submit this testimony If there are any questions or ifadditional information is needed please do not hesitate to contact me at (808)428-8717
Warmest Regards
Linda Schatz
Principal
HAWAII REGIONAL COUNCIL OF
CARPENTERS
October 6 2021
City Council
City amp County of Honolulu
Councilmember Tommy Waters Chair
Councilmember Esther Kiarsquoatildeina Vice Chair
Statement of the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters mdash SUPPORT for Bill 40 (2021)mdashRelating to thetransient accommodations tax
Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiarsquoatildeina and Members of the Council
The Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters would like to offer their support for Bill 40 relating to thetransient accommodations tax
Specifically this bill must contain a fixed percentage of the TAT that is dedicated to funding for rail sothe city can finish the project in fiscally responsible way without the need to raise property taxes
Dedicating a percentage of the TAT will also pay for the ongoing operations and maintenance of thesystem after construction has been completed again without the need to raise property taxes
Modernizing our infrastructure is important piece of the Biden administrationrsquos plan to ldquoBuild BackBetterrdquo Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will restore confidence with the FTA andcould potentially unlock additional federal funding opportunities
The downtown and Ala Moana rail stations will have a combined 11600 housing units as a result of theTransit Orientated Development planning and without a completed Rail project TOD and our affordablehousing goals cannot be met
Mass transit will decrease our dependance on imported oil reduce our greenhouse gas emissions andallow for the creation of walkable bikeable communities and safe streets for families
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has studied the impact of public transportation systems and rail isassociated with reductions in several health risk factors such as motor vehicle crashes air pollution andphysical inactivity
STATE HEADQUARTERS amp BUSINESS OFFICESOAIIU 1311 Hoiighiailirig SEreetHonnlulu Hawaii 96S17rsquo2711 bull Ph (808) 847-5761 Fax (808) 440-9188
111W OFFICE 525 Kilauca Avenue Room 205 Fur Hawaii 967203050 bull Ph (808) 935-8575 lOx (808) 935-8576KONA OFFICE 75-126 Lunapule RoadKajlua-Kona Hawaii 96740-2106 bull Ph (808) 329-7355 Fax (808) 326-9376
MAUI OFFICE 330 Hookahi StreetWailuku Maui 96793-1449 bull Ph (808) 2426891 Fax (808) 242-5961IA[JAI OFFICE KuIjo Medical CEr Bldg3-3295 Kuhio HwySuiteZOiLihue Kauai 96766-1040 Ph(SO8) 245-8511 Fax (808) 245-8911
A completed rail system will afford greater transportation options for Honolulu especially for seniors
and those who cannot afford the high costs of owning a vehicle
And it will enhance the quality life for leeward families who spend hours in traffic each day
Mahalo for your consideration
Nathaniel KinneynRinncyhrcc-bwflccm
MOVEOAHUFORWARD
October 6 2021
Chairman Tommy Waters and members of the Honolulu City Council
Aloha my name is Jennifer Sabas and I serve as the Executive Director of Move Oahu Forward a nonprofit organization supporting the Honolulu rail project as an integral part of a robust publictransportation system on Oahu I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish atransient accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of this amount I wouldrespectfully request that a portion be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project Thisnew revenue source a tourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both of whosewill ride the finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utility relocationalso continues Work either out to bid or ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficultsection of Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and a dedicated localrevenue source will allow for the completion of a system that will transform Oahu - Westside familieswill have the option to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending an hour+ in trafficTransit-oriented developments to include affordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances for many Oahu families
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support and look forward to a rigorousdebate and discussion in the months ahead
Aloha
Jennifer SabasExecutive DirectorMove Oahu ForwardP0 Box 1329Honolulu HI 96807
jennifermoveoahuforwardorg
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 353 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Nelisa Asato
Phone
Email nasatomatsoncomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee CouncilAgenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter SupportRepresenting Organization
Organization Matson Navigation Company IncWritten Testimony
Testimony AttachmentAccept Terms and Agreement 1
IP 19216820067
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 419 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Denise Boisvert
Phone
Email infofordeniseyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
YES I FULLY SUPPORT Bill 40 proposed by ChairWaters
Written Testimony All the requirements in the proposed bill are EXCELLENT
Mahalo to all for your kind consideration to more this billforward
Testimony Attachment
AcceptTerms and1
Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 418 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mary Kate Duggan
Phone
Email marykateelizabethduggangmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Resolution 21-234
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
Written Testimony
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and Agreement 1
lP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 423 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Kim Jorgensen
Phone
Email hawaiicondoyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on thematter
Support
Representing SelfOrganization
Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony on Bill 40 IWritten Testimonyfully SUPPORT it
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and1Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
HAwAII STATE AFL-CIO888 Mililani Street Suite 501 bull Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Randy Perreira Telephone (808)597-1441President Fax (808) 593-2149
City CouncilCity and County of Honolulu
Testimony byHawairsquoi State AFL-CIO
October 6 2021
Testimony in SUPPORT of Bill 40 Relating tothe Transient Accommodations Tax
The Hawairsquoi State AFL-CIO is a state federation of 74 affiliate local unions and councils with over68000 members across both public and private sectors We appreciate the opportunity to testify insupport of Bill 40
Of all counties in the state swift measures must be taken to mitigate the negative impact overtourismhas on Honolulursquos infrastructure Traffic congestion in Honolulu is exacerbated by the visitorindustry Establishing a three percent transient accommodations tax is key to generating the revenueneeded to invest in Orsquoahursquos public transportation system The Honolulu Rail Transit Project is apublic good that will benefit 0rsquo ahu workers residents and visitors alike by providing a publictransportation option that complements The Bus and further relieves traffic congestion where it ismost needed
We appreciate your consideration of our testimony in support of Bill 40 and strongly urge you to passthis bill
ectfullysnitted
Randy PerreiraPresident
Dion DizonQfbwtcio org
HAWAII APPLESEEDCENTER FOR LAW amp ECONOMIC JUSTTCE
Testimony of the Hawairsquoi Appleseed Center for Law and Economic JusticeSUPPORT mdash Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
City and County of HonoluluWednesday October 6 2021 10AM
Aloha Chair Waters and Councilmembers
We at Hawaii Appleseed strongly support Bill 40 and efforts to use TAT funds to complete therail project as it will dramatically increase the housing stock in TOD areas and create efficientand equitable access to transit To support the affordable housing that Oahu desperately needswe must finish the rail and provide the subsidies needed to ensure that housing is prioritized forlocal residents and stays affordable over the long-term
In addition we urge the council to provide that a fixed percentage of the TAT be allocatedto rail funding so the project can be completed in a fiscally responsible way with a securefunding stream Ideally all of the necessary funds for completion and ongoing maintenance cancome from this dedicated funding which is paid for by visitors to Oahu
Finishing the rail will enable thousands of homes to be built along the rail corridor Withappropriate affordability restrictions and public support these homes can address the severeshortage of affordable housing here on Oahu A recent 2020 study prepared by PBR Hawaii forthe Hawaii Office of Planning estimates the addition of 50900 residential units around the EastKapolei Stadium and lwilei TOD areas alone1rsquo Although these homes will be built in phasesover the next 40 years it is clear that development around rail can substantially contribute to oursupply of affordable housing According to the 2019 Hawaii Housing Planning Study Oahu willneed an additional 22168 residential units by 2025 with half of the need for households withcombined incomes of $75000 or less
Rail is needed to alleviate traffic and provide walkable neighborhoodsAs Oahu plans for the future we should be focused on housing constructed in walkable urbanneighborhoods with easy access to amenities parks and transit To support the smartaffordable and sustainable growth that is needed we should be building around rail-but first wemust complete the rail Access to rail offers an alternative to driving is likely to reduce traffic for
1 July 2020 State Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning and Implementation Project for theisland of Dahu by PBR Hawaii for the Hawaii State Office of Planning Attachment C
communities along the Leeward Coast and wHI create a more equitable way to access theurban core of Honolulu
We strongly urge the council to pass Bill 40 and to continue to work towards creating acomprehensive affordable housing strategy for the residents of Oahu Completing the rail is vitalto enable housing construction but it will take further efforts to ensure that a majority of housingis reserved for local residents and stays affordable over time
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify
Kenna Stormogipsonkennahibudgetorg
October 5 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer And Council Members
Honolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accomodation Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members
I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transient accommodations tax forthe City and County of Honolulu In addition I respectfully request a portion of this generatedtax to be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project We all realize the pastchallenges of the rail project but now have a great opportunity to position HART for a successfulcompletion of the Rail system
With the new leadership at HART I am more confident than ever that we have the managementindustry tmst transparency technical expertise and action plan required to move this projectahead This dedicated funding source which will be shouldered by our tourist will allowconstruction to continue toward a successful completion for ALL of us This will also spurTransit Oriented Deveiopment around the system to help create housing and businessopportunities in our communities
Thank you for this opportunity to submit my support for Bill 40 and to generate an additionalrevenue source for HART
Respectfully
Dexter Kubota PEVice President
dkubota bowersandkubotacom
a a aareg
aqJrsquoJ1001 Bishop Street I Suite 625 I Honolulu HI 96213-28301-866-295-7282 I Fax 808-536-2882
bull aarporghi I aarphiaarporg I twittercomAARPHawaiI
H auva i I
Honolulu City CouncilOctober 6 2021 1000 am
TO The Honorable Tommy Waters ChairpersonRE Bill 40mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the Committee
My name is Kealirsquoi Lopez and I am the State Director for AARP Hawairsquoi AARP is a membershiporganization of people age fifty and over with nearly 145000 members in HawaiiAARP Hawaii supports Bill 40 which seeks to establish transient accommodations tax (TAT) forthe City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and facilitate thereceipt and deposit of the revenue derived
We respectfully wish to add our comment and support for a dedicated percentage of the TATthat will support the mass transit project Having an ongoing dedicated source of funding willhelp pay for mass transit project the ongoing operations and maintenance of the system afterconstruction has been completed and without the need to raise property taxes
AARP has been a strong proponent of an age-friendly community that includesbull Multi-modal forms of transportation for people of all ages Rail affords another
transportation option for Honolulu especially for seniors and those who cannot affordthe high costs of owning a vehicle
bull Transit Orient Developments (TaD) with affordable housings built within walking andbiking distance of major rail stations
Bill 40 provides an opportunity for the City to modernize and complete our transportationinfrastructure Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will help restore confidencewith the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) and could potentially unlock additionalfederal funding opportunities and other public sources to finish the project Thank you for theopportunity to testify in support of Bill 40
Sincerely
lsquos--rsquo hr
Kealirsquoi Lopez State Director
klopezaarporg
BIABUILDING INDUSTRY
A S SOC AT ION ana
TESTIMONY TO THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCILHONOLULU HALE
COUNCIL CHAMBERSOctober 6 2021
900 AM
Honorable Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Council
RE Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
My name is Daryl Takamiya Chair of the Government Relations Committee of the BuildingIndustry Association of Hawaii (BIA-HawaN) Chartered in 1955 the Building IndustryAssociation of Hawaii is a professional trade organization affiliated with the National Associationof Home Builders representing the building industry and its associates BIA-HawaH takes aleadership role in unifying and promoting the interests of the industry to enhance the quality oflife for the people of Hawah Our members build the communities we all call home
BIA-Hawaii is in support of Bill 40 which would establish a transient accommodations tax for theCity and County of Honolulu specifically the portion of the bill that would provide for a depositinto the established transit fund
BIA-Hawaii continues to support the transit system on the island of Oahu because it willincrease the availability of housing as transit-oriented development communities are built Thelack of affordable housing and other quality of life issues continue to plague our communitiesImproving transportation will only help to alleviate these issues and without a completed railproject affordable housing goals will not be met Bill 40 will be an important component toensure that the transit system is brought to successful completion
We appreciate the opportunity to express our views on Sill 40
Stefanie Y Sakamotostefsakamotoconsultingcom
tamp 006-629-7501 94-487 Akoki St Ste 213 wwwbiahawakorg
fax 808-629-7701 Waipahu HI 9679 infobiahawaiiorg
From CLK Council Into
Sent Tuesday October 5 2021 657 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Stanford Masui
Phone
Email standamanniasuigmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-202 1
CouncilPHBudgetCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40
YOLIE positionOppose
on the matter
Representing Organization
Organization RAILSOS (Study Other Solutions)
Chairman Waters and members of the councilOur organization opposes this bill as written1 It assumes that a portion of the TAT will be set aside for a transit fund for the rail Thisassumption should not he made without a vigorous discussion as whether funds should hesiphoned off for a project that is no longer financially viable To put it bluntly why ldquothrowgood money after badrdquo
2 The rail is at an inflection point as to whether it should he constructed beyond its currentendpoint at Middle St or further intensive study as to viable alternatives rather thancontinuing on to Ala Moana at a prohibitive cost Past VIA administrators have urged the cityto consider modification of its plans a clear signal that additional funding may not beforthcoming
Wutten3 Transit Oriented Development is a myth Most of the buildina of condos in the KapiolaniTestimony -corridor were planned without any consideration of the rail route This is amply demonstratedby the fact that while HART struggles to come up with a funding plan and completion to AlaMoana is questionable developers are proceeding to build The numbers and actual cost ofaffordable housing in these condos are still too expensive for most people to afford Only onemajor project currently is in Ewa and that was planned years before the rail was developed
4 There are urgent issues that require immediate and priority funding homelessness and themental health system police fire and emergency services funding road and highwayimprovement and cleanup and improvement of tourist recreational areas such as parks andbeaches
5 Rather than triggering economic growth the public will be saddled with enormous debt bythe borrowed funding and operational expense estimated variously at present at $120- $150
million per year Electricity costs will cause operational expense to double This project couldbankrupt the city
6 HART should develop a funding or recovery plan before it comes to the council for aportion of TAT revenues
7 The final Environmental Impact Statement indicates only a minimal effect in alleviatingtraffic congestion which is the major argument in favor of funding the rail- The motoringpublic will not see any improvement in driving times and the studies were made years agoand are no longer reliable
The Council is urged to delete any provision that funds the rail in favor of funding otherurgent prioritiesThank you for your consideration
Te stin]on yAttachment
Accept TermsI
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 730 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Leslie M Inouye
Phone
Email Iinouyel4gmai1com
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHBuddeget
Committee
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position onOppose
the matter
Representing Self
Organization
Chairman Waters and City Council I and many others who have only recently becomeaware of Bill 40 must oppose the the use of the TAT to help fund rail It seems there are any
Writtennumber of backdoor plans to find the funds for rail despite the ongoing litany of items thateither have no clear fix andor no specific bottom line At some point you must realize thatTestimony
the rail is not a sustainable to use the popular contemporary term project and to continuepursuing this immense burden portends financial ruin for all of us Please let common senserule your decisions
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IF 19216820067
1
1 PETER A GANABANbull Business Manager
ampcretarj- Treasure
ALFONSO OlIVERPesident
JOBY NORTh IIlice President
TONI FIG(ERO4Recording Secretary
JAMES DRLrsquoMGOLD JRExecutiye Bd
ORLANDO PAESTEExecutive Board
JOSFIrsquoK jAWEsecutiw Board
ESTIIERAILA4udaor
RUSSELl NAPIIIA-4Auditor
SI lsquoIRK TRAVALINO4uJior
MAITINARAN4YDOamprgearn-dt-Arms
LIUNA Local 3681617 Palarna StreetHonolulu HI 96817
Phone (808) 841-5877Fax (808)847-7829
wiwIocaI368org
LiUNA
TESTIMONY OF THE HAWAII LABORERSrsquo UNION LOCAL 358
Honolulu City CouncilCouncil Meeting
Wednesday October 6 20211000 AM
RE Bill 40(2021) mdash RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATION TAX(TAT)
Chair Waters Vice-chair Kiarsquoaina and Council Members
The Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 and its 5000 working and retired men andwomen across the state of Hawaii stand in strong support of Bill 40(2021) whichestablishes a transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) for the City and Countyof Honolulu
The TAT funding proposed in Bill 40 would allow the City and County of Honoluluto maintain and preserve our island while mitigating the impacts of our naturalresources while also building new and existing infrastructure - including theHonolulu Rail Project This proposed measure would help generate much neededrevenue while having our island visitors help in sharing the cost
Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 respectfully requests that the council takefavorable action on this measure and support Bill 40
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony
Shingayi MasiyaGovernment Relations Director
Feel the Power
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 754 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Paul Yonamine
PhoneEmail paulyonaminecpbbank
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncil
Committee
Agenda Item Testimony and Support for Bill 40Your position
Supporton the mailer
Representing Self
Organization
Testimony and Support for Bill 40
I am Paul Yonamine Executive Chairman of Central Pacific Bank andI am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transientaccommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of thisamount I would respectfully request that a portion be set aside for thecompletion of the Honolulu rail project This new revenue source atourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both ofwhom will use and ride a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steadypace Work on utility relocation also continues Work either out to bidor ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficult section of
Written Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and aTestimony dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of a
system that wilt transform Oahu - Westside families will have theoption to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending anhourdivide in traffic Transit-oriented developments (TOD) to includeaffordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances
Rail and TOD represents the single most important economic driverfor the City and County of Honolulu and the state of Hawaii It alsopresents an invaluable opportunity for more affordable housingdevelopment for generations to come Donrsquot stop and impedeprogress of rail because of past project mismanagement We shouldmake sure the project is fully funded and that capable projectmanagers are hired positioned and empowered to complete thisproject
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support andlook forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 824 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Michael KamakaPhone
Email mkamakabowersandkubotacomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40 - Transient Accommodations TaxYour position
Supporton the matterRepresenting SelfOrganization
October 6 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer and Council MembersHonolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Sill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodation TaxDear Chair Waters and MembersPlease accept this written testimony of my support of Bill 40 toestablish a transient accommodations tax for the City and County ofHonolulu Under Sill 40
Written I believe a transient accommodations tax collects the fair and equitableTestimony amount from visitors who enjoy our City and County of Honolulu today
and in the future The tax will provide funding to mitigate impacts ofvisitors by providing money to support the restoration and maintenanceof public facilitiesAs part of the mitigation to the impacts of visitors I respectfully requesta portion of this transient accommodations tax be set aside to supportthe completion of the Honolulu rail project A rail system will helpmitigate the impacts by visitors in the Honolulu area by providing acleaner alternative of transportation thereby minimizing pollutantscaused by vehicle traffic and congestionAlthough there has been fiscal schedule and constructabilitychallenges there is a renewed hope and optimism for the completionof the rail system A renewable source of funding is the opportunity toposition HART for a successful completion of the rail system With new
1
leadership at HART I am confident HART has the people industrytrust transparency technical expertise and viable action plan neededto move this project ahead Funding through a portion of the transientaccommodation tax will provide a sustainable and dedicated fundingsource to allow construction to continueThank you for allowing me this opportunity to submit my support for Bill40Respectfully
Michael Kamaka PE Principal
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
Moreover an additional 30 days after signing would be consistent with the timeframe ofprevious increases in TAT at the state level and recent implementation in other counties Typicallywhen the TAT was increased at the state level in the past the legislation would allow for severalmonths to enable the hotel industry to adjust internal booking systems to properly disclose andcharge for the increased rate Further Maui County recently passed their own county TAT with alevied date of November 1 202L which will be approximately 30 days after it is signed into lawMaui County found the additional time to be a fair compromise to allow the hotel industry toaccount for the County TAT
Accordingly Aqua-Aston recommends the following amendment to Bill 40
1 Amend Section 7 to state ldquoThis ordinance takes effect upon its approval The transientaccommodations tax established by this ordinance is considered levied 30 days afterapprovalrdquo
Mahalo for your consideration of these amendments
Respectfully submitted
Denis EbrillAqua Aston Hospitality LLC Managing Director
Evan Dueeouecjmanaka-asatocorn
Office 820 Mililani St Ste 600 Honolulu HI 96813 1808-931-1400Mailing Address 6649 Westwood Blvd Orlando FL 32821
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 1047 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Evan CuePhone
Email eoueimanaka-asatocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40Your position on the
Commentmatter
Representing Organization
Organization ARDA Hawaii
Please find attached ARDA Hawaiirsquos Testimony providingWritten Testimonycomments on Bill 40
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and1Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
1
October 5 2021
TO Councilmember Tommy Waters Chair
Councilmember Esther Kiaaina Vice- Chair
Members of the Honolulu City Council
FR AMERICAN RESORT DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION ndash HAWAII (ARDA Hawaii)
RE Comments on Bill 40 (Bill 40) RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT
ACCOMMODATIONS TAX (ESTABLISHING A TRANSIENT
ACCOMMODATIONS TAX FOR THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU
PROVIDE FOR ITS IMPOSITION AND DISPOSITION AND FACILITATE THE
RECEIPT AND DEPOSIT OF THE REVENUES DERIVED FROM THE TRANSIENT
ACCOMMODATIONS TAX)
Aloha Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Thank you for allowing ARDA Hawaii to submit testimony providing Comments and
Amendments to Bill 40 establishing a transient accommodations tax for the City and County of
Honolulu ARDA Hawaii is the local chapter of the trade association for the timeshare industry
Timeshare is an important and stabilizing part of the tourism industry and Honolulus economy
Timeshare owners have made a long-term commitment to Honolulu by purchasing and owning
real property in the County These owners are consistent and dependable visitors who bring
substantial tax dollars and continue to come even during periods of economic downturn
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (County
TAT) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gross rental proceeds derived
from the furnishing of transient accommodations Every transient accommodation broker travel
agency and tour packager that arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shall
pay the County TAT Further every time share vacation plan must be represented by a plan
manager Pursuant to Section 7 the new County TAT is considered levied on the effective date of
Bill 40
ARDA Hawaii understands the need for the County to establish the County TAT
however we have concerns with the timing of the application of the additional 3 percent
increase Having the County TAT levied upon approval puts hotel operators at a disadvantage
Essentially this would mean that the County TAT would be retroactively applicable to
2
reservations made on the effective date even though the bill has not been signed by the Mayor
Furthermore hotel operators will not be able to 1) disclose the new tax to guests in advance and
2) adjust booking systems and rental agreements to collect the new tax from guests after the
County TAT has been officially established In turn operators will need to pay for the County
TAT themselves for reservations on the effective date
Moreover timeshare resorts will need to update their Hawaii disclosure statements and
file with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) This is often a time-
consuming process requiring approval from the DCCA Having Bill 40 be levied upon approval
will lead to inadequate disclosure to customers Imposing the County TAT in this manner will
make it impossible for developers and operators to provide full and fair disclosure to buyers
owners and other occupants
Accordingly ARDA Hawaii respectfully requests the County TAT be levied at a
minimum not earlier than 30 days after Bill 40s approval to allow 1) appropriate notice to be
given to travel partners that the law has been signed 2) hotel operators to charge for the
County TAT that is officially passed 3) booking engines to be updated with the new County
TAT and 4) rental agreements to be modified with the new required language Further the any
additional time will provide developers and timeshare operators time to update disclosure
statements with DCCA and provide consumers with full and fair disclosure
Specifically ARDA Hawaii recommends the following amendment to Bill 40
1 Amend Section 7 to state This ordinance takes effect upon its approval The transient
accommodations tax established by this ordinance is considered levied 30 days after
approval
Mahalo for your consideration of our comments We look forward to working with the
Council on implementing a policy that will enhance the ability of developers and operators to
comply with the new existing laws and requirements that compel fair and full disclosure of the
County TAT to consumers
Respectfully Submitted
Mitchell A Imanaka
Chair
American Resort Development Association of Hawaii
HAWAII OPERATING ENGINEERSINDusTRY STABILIZATION FuND
(ccedilg) 1
lsquoheftzc cqr ltnagth ant orkrn ngctaer(a a Ut
October 5 2021
Honorable Tommy Waters Honolulu City Council ChairHonorable Esther Kiarsquoaacuteina Honolulu City Council Vice ChairHonorable Members of the Honolulu City Council
RE Bill 40(2021) Relating to the transient accommodations tax (Establishing a transient
accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and
facilitate the receipt and deposit of the revenues derived from the transient accommodations tax)
Chair Waters
My name is Pane Meatoga Ill and I am the Community Liaison representing the Hawaii OperatingEngineers Industry Stabilization Fund (HOEISF) We are a labor management fund representing 3000unionized members in heavy engineering site work and 500 general contractors specializing in heavy siteand vertical construction Our organization would like to offer our written testimony in support of Bill40(2021)
Construction of the rait guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utility relocationalso continues Currently construction work has either been bid out or is ready to start the bidingprocess and design work is ongoing for the most difficult section of Dillingham Boulevard We aregetting closer to the finish line and members of Operating Engineers Local 3 and other trade unions arehard at work making this project a reality
We believe a dedicated local revenue source that is not from real property taxes will allow for thecompleUon of a rail system that lsquoArsquoill transform Oahu for the benefit of future generations A fixedpercentage of the Cityrsquos Transient Accommodation Tax (TAT) dedicated to rail is exactly what the countyneeds now to continue this project We recommend that the Honolulu City Council consider allocatinga percentage of the Countyrsquos TAT to the Honolulu Rail Project
We appreciate the Honolulu City Council taking up this bill We look forward to Bill 40 progressingthrough the legislative process and we look forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
Sincerely
Pane Meatoga IllHawaii Operating Engineers Industry Stabilization Fund
pnceuroh pciLccrn
DUHO1IFONjasorsca4 ampuatildeder
HAWAII
October 52021
Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairMembers of the Honolulu City Council
RE Comments on Bill 40 (ldquoBill 40rdquo) Rclating to the Transient Accommodations TaxHearing date Wednesday October 6 2021 at 1000 AM
Aloha Chair Waters Vicc Chair Kiarsquoaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Mahalo for the opportunity to submit testimony on behalf of DR Horton Hawaii LLC(ldquoDR Hortonrdquo) in Support of Bill 40 relating to the transient accommodations tax DR Hortonis one of Hawaiirsquos largest home builders and has been providing affordable housing and first-timebuyer homes for Hawaiirsquos families throughout Oahu for nearly fifty years
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (ldquoCountyTATrdquo) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gross rental proceeds derivedfrom the furnishing of transient accommodations Every transient accommodation broker travelagency and tour packagDr that arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shallpay the County TAT Additionally Bill 40 allocates percentages of the tax revenue generated bythe County TAT into I) the general fund 2) the transit fund established under Chapter 6 Article61 and 3) a special account in the general fund specifically used to mitigate the impacts of visitorson public facilities including the restoration and maintenance of beaches and parks
Prinarily DR Horton supports an allocation of the County TAT to be dedicated tofunding the rail project We favor a fixed allocation of funding that will enable the city to finishand maintain the project in a fiscally responsible way allowing the rail project to be completedwithout raising property taxes or endangering the Countyrsquos bond rating Furthermore funding therail project will restore confidence with the FTA and potentially unlock much needed federalfunding
Additionally the completion of the rail project will directly influence the creation of asignificant inventory of much needed affordable housing Completing the rail project willincentivize transit oriented development around the downtown and Ala Moana rail stationsprojected to create an additional 11600 housing units Failing to complete the rail project will putus that much further behind the curve in reaching our collective affordable housing goals
Dahu Maui Hawaii Island Kauai
130 Merchant Street Suite 112 Honolulu Hawaii 96813 8085215661
wwwdrhortoncomhawaii
Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairOctober 52021Page 2
Finally completion of the rail has the added benefit of decreasing our dependance onimported oil and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging multi-modal forms oftransportation that are both walkable and bikeable consistent with the Cityrsquos long term planninggoals Further the completion of the rail project will create a much needed connection betweenmaster planned communities in Ewa and downtown Honolulu enhancing the quality life forfamilies living in West Oahu
In summary DR Horton supports Bill 40 and the proposed allocations Mahalo for yourtime and consideration It is very much appreciated Should you have any questions please donot hesitate to contact me at 808-782-4109 or ttonakicdrhortoneom
Sincerely
9KTracy TonakiSenior Vice President
Evan Quoeoueirnanaka-asatoeom
1065 Ahua StreetHonolulu H 96819Phone 808-833-1681 FAX 839-4167Email jfbullfccedileaIigcaQia (iINERAI (lsquo()NrIAuIORS ASSOCIATION OF I IAWAIIWebsite wwwgcahawoiiore
Quality People Quality Projects
October 162021
Councilman Tommy Waters ChairMembers of the City CouncilCity amp County of the Honolulu CityHonolulu HI 96813
Re Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the City Council
The General Contractors Association of Hawaii (GCA) is an organization comprised ofapproximately five hundred (500) general contractors subcontractors and construction relatedfirms The GCA was established in 1932 and is the largest construction association in the Stateof Hawaii Our mission is to elevate Hawaiirsquos construction industry and strengthen thefoundation of our community
GCA is in STRONG SUPPORT of Bill 40 which establishes a transient accommodations taxfor the City and County of Honolulu
Of this amount we respectfully request that a portion be set aside for the completion of theI lonolulu rail project This new revenue source a tourist tax comes from our visitors rather thanour residents both of whom will use and ridc a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utilityrelocation also continues A dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of asystem that will transform Oahu Westsidc families will have the option to ride the rail to workand school rather than spending an hour-4- in traffic
Further transit-oriented developments include affordable units along the route This will helpaddress our housing shortage asll600 housing units along the downtown and Ala Moana railstations will be completed as a result of the TOD planning This creates multi-modals form oftransportation that allow for walkable bikeable communities and safe streets for families
Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony in support of Bill 40
Ryan Sakuda
ryan(gcahawaiiorg
-4rsquo
a4714rdquo t014 5n
Testimony by Harry SaundersPresident Castle amp Cooke Hawairsquoi
October 5 2021
City and County of Honolulu City CouncilRegarding
BILL 40 (2021)RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS TAX
SUPPORT WITH COMMENTS
Chair amp Presiding Officer Tommy Waters Vice Chair Esther Kiarsquoaumlina and Members of the City Council
I am Harry Saunders Presidcnt of Castle amp Cookc Hawairsquoi Thank you for the opportunity to submittcstimony regarding Bill 40 (2021)
Castic amp Cooke Hawairsquoi supports the intent of Bill 40 that will dedicate a portion of the transientaccommodations tax into a transportation fund It is critical that this bill have a fixed percentage of thetransient accommodations tax dedicated towards the funding of the rail so the city can finish the projectin a fiscally responsible way without raising property taxes and endangering our cityrsquos bond rating
Allocating a fixed percentage of the transient accommodations tax to fund the rail transit project will havelong temi benefits to visitors and kamarsquoaina alike
Rail will provide multi-modal opportunities giving residents transportation options It will help reducethe dependence on vehicles and its requisite imported oils with overall benefits to the health of ourenvironment Rail will reduce commute times for residents living in outlying communities The timethey gain back will enhance their quality of life
It also provides housing and redevelopment opportunities to communities With this redevelopmentcomes affordable housing Affordable housing planned in Transit Oriented Development for thedowntown and Ala Moana rail stations is a combined 11600 housing units
Allocating a fixed percentage of the TAT funding to Rail will pay for the ongoing operations andmaintenance of the system after construction has been completed again without the need to raiseproperty taxes
Mahalo for your consideration of my testimony Should you have any questions please feel free tocontact us
Harry Saunders Garret MatsunamiPresident Vice President Residential OperationsCastle amp Cooke Hawairsquoi Castle amp Cooke Hawairsquoifsakai(i2eastlecookeeom gmatsunamicastlecookecomPhone 548-4884 Phone 626-3625llcQmacastIecookecom
680 Iwilei Road Box 510 Honolulu Hawaii 96817Phone (808) 548-4811 Fax (808) 548-6690
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 110 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mufi HannemannPhoneEmail mhannemanncopyhawaBlodgingorgMeeting Date 10-06-2021CouncilPH
CouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40Your position
Commenton the matter
Representing Organization
Organization Hawairsquoi Lodging amp Tourism AssociationTestimony ofMufi HannemannPresident amp CEOHawaii Lodging amp Tourism Association
Honolulu City CouncilBill 40 (2021)October 6 2021
Chair Waters and members of the Honolulu City Council mahalo forthe opportunity to submit testimony on behalf of the Hawaii Lodging ampTourism Association the statersquos largest private sector visitor industryorganization
WrittenTestimony The Hawaii Lodging amp Tourism Associationmdashnearly 700 members
strong representing more than 50000 hotel rooms and nearly 40000lodging workersmdashstrongly opposed the passage of House Bill 862which among myriad other issues stripped the State TransientAccommodations Tax (TAT) allocation to the counties and allowed forup to an additional three percent surcharge to be levied on lodgingproperties The surcharge proposed by this measure represents a 29increase to the TAT that comes at a highly inopportune time for anindustry that has been drastically affected by the pandemic and travelrestrictions However with the veto override by the Legislature andthe ultimate passage of HB 862 we recognize the financial position inwhich the City amp County of Honolulu finds itself and the need todeliberate on the introduced bill As the latest version of Bill 40 (2020)does not stipulate the percentages by which the collected tax monies
will be divided between the general fund transit fund and theunnamed visitor impact fund we would like to provide comments onthe proposed measure at this time
As the vast majority of monies raised by the TATmdashand the new threepercent surchargemdashwill undoubtedly come from the pockets of visitorsit is our position that the lionrsquos share of these funds should be utilizedto address tourism related needs and the impacts created by travelersto Hawaii The opportunities in this regard are seemingly endless andcould include more routine county tasks such as road refinishing andupdates to our infrastructure but should also be used on projects moredirectly associated with tourism impacts like trail management beachand park maintenance additional support for first responders and theprovision of adequate public safety staffing at beaches and other Cityinstallations
We are all aware of the discussions currently happening in thecommunity that focus upon tourism its impact on our naturalresources and communities and the significant role it plays in oureconomy Anti-tourism sentiments are at an all-time high and both thetourism industry and the community are working to strike a finebalance that suits both residents and visitors to our home Relegatinga significant portion of funds generated by the surcharge to the tourismimpact fund would ensure that the City is appropriately addressing thevarious issues surrounding tourism with visitor dollars and would maketransparency in the process that much more likely The HawaiiTourism Authorityrsquos Destination Management Action Plan processmdashwhich aims to better manage tourism for our entire statemdashhas beencompleted for Oahu and this would be an ideal jumping off point tobegin discussion of how surcharge funds are utilized for some of theirpriorities Finally we would also like to better understand who willoversee the special tourism impact fund and ensure that said funds willbe used for their intended purposes through a transparent process
We look forward to a robust public discourse on this measure andthank you for the opportunity to provide these comments
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
Mobi[e 8084288717
c EmaH indascFarzschtzcoIlabortvecoin- lsquo- 5chatzcohaboratvecomcollaborative
October 5 2021
Via email to Honolulu City Council
SUBJECT Bill 40(2021) mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations TaxCouncil Meeting October 6 2021 1000am
Dear Council Members
I am submitting written testimony to offer comments to Bill 40
This bill must have a fixed percentage of the TAT dedicated to funding the rail to avoidraising property taxes or jeopardizing our bond rating
Irsquove been a housing advocate and developer for the last 20 years and have supported effortsto create multi-modal neighborhoods in the primary urban core If a fixed percentage of atleast half of the TAT to the county goes to rail construction operations and rail focusedactivities such as TOD it will help create ripe conditions for housing redevelopment andwalkable communities Rail is also a catalyst to begin the efforts to bring back sociallyequitable planning efforts to disadvantaged neighborhoods on Dahu Without a dedicatedsource of funding we lose so much more in terms of equitable opportunities for Oahursquoscommunity and future generations
Thank you again for the opportunity to submit this testimony If there are any questions or ifadditional information is needed please do not hesitate to contact me at (808)428-8717
Warmest Regards
Linda Schatz
Principal
HAWAII REGIONAL COUNCIL OF
CARPENTERS
October 6 2021
City Council
City amp County of Honolulu
Councilmember Tommy Waters Chair
Councilmember Esther Kiarsquoatildeina Vice Chair
Statement of the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters mdash SUPPORT for Bill 40 (2021)mdashRelating to thetransient accommodations tax
Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiarsquoatildeina and Members of the Council
The Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters would like to offer their support for Bill 40 relating to thetransient accommodations tax
Specifically this bill must contain a fixed percentage of the TAT that is dedicated to funding for rail sothe city can finish the project in fiscally responsible way without the need to raise property taxes
Dedicating a percentage of the TAT will also pay for the ongoing operations and maintenance of thesystem after construction has been completed again without the need to raise property taxes
Modernizing our infrastructure is important piece of the Biden administrationrsquos plan to ldquoBuild BackBetterrdquo Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will restore confidence with the FTA andcould potentially unlock additional federal funding opportunities
The downtown and Ala Moana rail stations will have a combined 11600 housing units as a result of theTransit Orientated Development planning and without a completed Rail project TOD and our affordablehousing goals cannot be met
Mass transit will decrease our dependance on imported oil reduce our greenhouse gas emissions andallow for the creation of walkable bikeable communities and safe streets for families
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has studied the impact of public transportation systems and rail isassociated with reductions in several health risk factors such as motor vehicle crashes air pollution andphysical inactivity
STATE HEADQUARTERS amp BUSINESS OFFICESOAIIU 1311 Hoiighiailirig SEreetHonnlulu Hawaii 96S17rsquo2711 bull Ph (808) 847-5761 Fax (808) 440-9188
111W OFFICE 525 Kilauca Avenue Room 205 Fur Hawaii 967203050 bull Ph (808) 935-8575 lOx (808) 935-8576KONA OFFICE 75-126 Lunapule RoadKajlua-Kona Hawaii 96740-2106 bull Ph (808) 329-7355 Fax (808) 326-9376
MAUI OFFICE 330 Hookahi StreetWailuku Maui 96793-1449 bull Ph (808) 2426891 Fax (808) 242-5961IA[JAI OFFICE KuIjo Medical CEr Bldg3-3295 Kuhio HwySuiteZOiLihue Kauai 96766-1040 Ph(SO8) 245-8511 Fax (808) 245-8911
A completed rail system will afford greater transportation options for Honolulu especially for seniors
and those who cannot afford the high costs of owning a vehicle
And it will enhance the quality life for leeward families who spend hours in traffic each day
Mahalo for your consideration
Nathaniel KinneynRinncyhrcc-bwflccm
MOVEOAHUFORWARD
October 6 2021
Chairman Tommy Waters and members of the Honolulu City Council
Aloha my name is Jennifer Sabas and I serve as the Executive Director of Move Oahu Forward a nonprofit organization supporting the Honolulu rail project as an integral part of a robust publictransportation system on Oahu I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish atransient accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of this amount I wouldrespectfully request that a portion be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project Thisnew revenue source a tourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both of whosewill ride the finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utility relocationalso continues Work either out to bid or ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficultsection of Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and a dedicated localrevenue source will allow for the completion of a system that will transform Oahu - Westside familieswill have the option to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending an hour+ in trafficTransit-oriented developments to include affordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances for many Oahu families
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support and look forward to a rigorousdebate and discussion in the months ahead
Aloha
Jennifer SabasExecutive DirectorMove Oahu ForwardP0 Box 1329Honolulu HI 96807
jennifermoveoahuforwardorg
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 353 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Nelisa Asato
Phone
Email nasatomatsoncomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee CouncilAgenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter SupportRepresenting Organization
Organization Matson Navigation Company IncWritten Testimony
Testimony AttachmentAccept Terms and Agreement 1
IP 19216820067
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 419 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Denise Boisvert
Phone
Email infofordeniseyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
YES I FULLY SUPPORT Bill 40 proposed by ChairWaters
Written Testimony All the requirements in the proposed bill are EXCELLENT
Mahalo to all for your kind consideration to more this billforward
Testimony Attachment
AcceptTerms and1
Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 418 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mary Kate Duggan
Phone
Email marykateelizabethduggangmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Resolution 21-234
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
Written Testimony
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and Agreement 1
lP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 423 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Kim Jorgensen
Phone
Email hawaiicondoyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on thematter
Support
Representing SelfOrganization
Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony on Bill 40 IWritten Testimonyfully SUPPORT it
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and1Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
HAwAII STATE AFL-CIO888 Mililani Street Suite 501 bull Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Randy Perreira Telephone (808)597-1441President Fax (808) 593-2149
City CouncilCity and County of Honolulu
Testimony byHawairsquoi State AFL-CIO
October 6 2021
Testimony in SUPPORT of Bill 40 Relating tothe Transient Accommodations Tax
The Hawairsquoi State AFL-CIO is a state federation of 74 affiliate local unions and councils with over68000 members across both public and private sectors We appreciate the opportunity to testify insupport of Bill 40
Of all counties in the state swift measures must be taken to mitigate the negative impact overtourismhas on Honolulursquos infrastructure Traffic congestion in Honolulu is exacerbated by the visitorindustry Establishing a three percent transient accommodations tax is key to generating the revenueneeded to invest in Orsquoahursquos public transportation system The Honolulu Rail Transit Project is apublic good that will benefit 0rsquo ahu workers residents and visitors alike by providing a publictransportation option that complements The Bus and further relieves traffic congestion where it ismost needed
We appreciate your consideration of our testimony in support of Bill 40 and strongly urge you to passthis bill
ectfullysnitted
Randy PerreiraPresident
Dion DizonQfbwtcio org
HAWAII APPLESEEDCENTER FOR LAW amp ECONOMIC JUSTTCE
Testimony of the Hawairsquoi Appleseed Center for Law and Economic JusticeSUPPORT mdash Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
City and County of HonoluluWednesday October 6 2021 10AM
Aloha Chair Waters and Councilmembers
We at Hawaii Appleseed strongly support Bill 40 and efforts to use TAT funds to complete therail project as it will dramatically increase the housing stock in TOD areas and create efficientand equitable access to transit To support the affordable housing that Oahu desperately needswe must finish the rail and provide the subsidies needed to ensure that housing is prioritized forlocal residents and stays affordable over the long-term
In addition we urge the council to provide that a fixed percentage of the TAT be allocatedto rail funding so the project can be completed in a fiscally responsible way with a securefunding stream Ideally all of the necessary funds for completion and ongoing maintenance cancome from this dedicated funding which is paid for by visitors to Oahu
Finishing the rail will enable thousands of homes to be built along the rail corridor Withappropriate affordability restrictions and public support these homes can address the severeshortage of affordable housing here on Oahu A recent 2020 study prepared by PBR Hawaii forthe Hawaii Office of Planning estimates the addition of 50900 residential units around the EastKapolei Stadium and lwilei TOD areas alone1rsquo Although these homes will be built in phasesover the next 40 years it is clear that development around rail can substantially contribute to oursupply of affordable housing According to the 2019 Hawaii Housing Planning Study Oahu willneed an additional 22168 residential units by 2025 with half of the need for households withcombined incomes of $75000 or less
Rail is needed to alleviate traffic and provide walkable neighborhoodsAs Oahu plans for the future we should be focused on housing constructed in walkable urbanneighborhoods with easy access to amenities parks and transit To support the smartaffordable and sustainable growth that is needed we should be building around rail-but first wemust complete the rail Access to rail offers an alternative to driving is likely to reduce traffic for
1 July 2020 State Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning and Implementation Project for theisland of Dahu by PBR Hawaii for the Hawaii State Office of Planning Attachment C
communities along the Leeward Coast and wHI create a more equitable way to access theurban core of Honolulu
We strongly urge the council to pass Bill 40 and to continue to work towards creating acomprehensive affordable housing strategy for the residents of Oahu Completing the rail is vitalto enable housing construction but it will take further efforts to ensure that a majority of housingis reserved for local residents and stays affordable over time
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify
Kenna Stormogipsonkennahibudgetorg
October 5 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer And Council Members
Honolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accomodation Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members
I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transient accommodations tax forthe City and County of Honolulu In addition I respectfully request a portion of this generatedtax to be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project We all realize the pastchallenges of the rail project but now have a great opportunity to position HART for a successfulcompletion of the Rail system
With the new leadership at HART I am more confident than ever that we have the managementindustry tmst transparency technical expertise and action plan required to move this projectahead This dedicated funding source which will be shouldered by our tourist will allowconstruction to continue toward a successful completion for ALL of us This will also spurTransit Oriented Deveiopment around the system to help create housing and businessopportunities in our communities
Thank you for this opportunity to submit my support for Bill 40 and to generate an additionalrevenue source for HART
Respectfully
Dexter Kubota PEVice President
dkubota bowersandkubotacom
a a aareg
aqJrsquoJ1001 Bishop Street I Suite 625 I Honolulu HI 96213-28301-866-295-7282 I Fax 808-536-2882
bull aarporghi I aarphiaarporg I twittercomAARPHawaiI
H auva i I
Honolulu City CouncilOctober 6 2021 1000 am
TO The Honorable Tommy Waters ChairpersonRE Bill 40mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the Committee
My name is Kealirsquoi Lopez and I am the State Director for AARP Hawairsquoi AARP is a membershiporganization of people age fifty and over with nearly 145000 members in HawaiiAARP Hawaii supports Bill 40 which seeks to establish transient accommodations tax (TAT) forthe City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and facilitate thereceipt and deposit of the revenue derived
We respectfully wish to add our comment and support for a dedicated percentage of the TATthat will support the mass transit project Having an ongoing dedicated source of funding willhelp pay for mass transit project the ongoing operations and maintenance of the system afterconstruction has been completed and without the need to raise property taxes
AARP has been a strong proponent of an age-friendly community that includesbull Multi-modal forms of transportation for people of all ages Rail affords another
transportation option for Honolulu especially for seniors and those who cannot affordthe high costs of owning a vehicle
bull Transit Orient Developments (TaD) with affordable housings built within walking andbiking distance of major rail stations
Bill 40 provides an opportunity for the City to modernize and complete our transportationinfrastructure Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will help restore confidencewith the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) and could potentially unlock additionalfederal funding opportunities and other public sources to finish the project Thank you for theopportunity to testify in support of Bill 40
Sincerely
lsquos--rsquo hr
Kealirsquoi Lopez State Director
klopezaarporg
BIABUILDING INDUSTRY
A S SOC AT ION ana
TESTIMONY TO THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCILHONOLULU HALE
COUNCIL CHAMBERSOctober 6 2021
900 AM
Honorable Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Council
RE Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
My name is Daryl Takamiya Chair of the Government Relations Committee of the BuildingIndustry Association of Hawaii (BIA-HawaN) Chartered in 1955 the Building IndustryAssociation of Hawaii is a professional trade organization affiliated with the National Associationof Home Builders representing the building industry and its associates BIA-HawaH takes aleadership role in unifying and promoting the interests of the industry to enhance the quality oflife for the people of Hawah Our members build the communities we all call home
BIA-Hawaii is in support of Bill 40 which would establish a transient accommodations tax for theCity and County of Honolulu specifically the portion of the bill that would provide for a depositinto the established transit fund
BIA-Hawaii continues to support the transit system on the island of Oahu because it willincrease the availability of housing as transit-oriented development communities are built Thelack of affordable housing and other quality of life issues continue to plague our communitiesImproving transportation will only help to alleviate these issues and without a completed railproject affordable housing goals will not be met Bill 40 will be an important component toensure that the transit system is brought to successful completion
We appreciate the opportunity to express our views on Sill 40
Stefanie Y Sakamotostefsakamotoconsultingcom
tamp 006-629-7501 94-487 Akoki St Ste 213 wwwbiahawakorg
fax 808-629-7701 Waipahu HI 9679 infobiahawaiiorg
From CLK Council Into
Sent Tuesday October 5 2021 657 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Stanford Masui
Phone
Email standamanniasuigmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-202 1
CouncilPHBudgetCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40
YOLIE positionOppose
on the matter
Representing Organization
Organization RAILSOS (Study Other Solutions)
Chairman Waters and members of the councilOur organization opposes this bill as written1 It assumes that a portion of the TAT will be set aside for a transit fund for the rail Thisassumption should not he made without a vigorous discussion as whether funds should hesiphoned off for a project that is no longer financially viable To put it bluntly why ldquothrowgood money after badrdquo
2 The rail is at an inflection point as to whether it should he constructed beyond its currentendpoint at Middle St or further intensive study as to viable alternatives rather thancontinuing on to Ala Moana at a prohibitive cost Past VIA administrators have urged the cityto consider modification of its plans a clear signal that additional funding may not beforthcoming
Wutten3 Transit Oriented Development is a myth Most of the buildina of condos in the KapiolaniTestimony -corridor were planned without any consideration of the rail route This is amply demonstratedby the fact that while HART struggles to come up with a funding plan and completion to AlaMoana is questionable developers are proceeding to build The numbers and actual cost ofaffordable housing in these condos are still too expensive for most people to afford Only onemajor project currently is in Ewa and that was planned years before the rail was developed
4 There are urgent issues that require immediate and priority funding homelessness and themental health system police fire and emergency services funding road and highwayimprovement and cleanup and improvement of tourist recreational areas such as parks andbeaches
5 Rather than triggering economic growth the public will be saddled with enormous debt bythe borrowed funding and operational expense estimated variously at present at $120- $150
million per year Electricity costs will cause operational expense to double This project couldbankrupt the city
6 HART should develop a funding or recovery plan before it comes to the council for aportion of TAT revenues
7 The final Environmental Impact Statement indicates only a minimal effect in alleviatingtraffic congestion which is the major argument in favor of funding the rail- The motoringpublic will not see any improvement in driving times and the studies were made years agoand are no longer reliable
The Council is urged to delete any provision that funds the rail in favor of funding otherurgent prioritiesThank you for your consideration
Te stin]on yAttachment
Accept TermsI
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 730 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Leslie M Inouye
Phone
Email Iinouyel4gmai1com
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHBuddeget
Committee
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position onOppose
the matter
Representing Self
Organization
Chairman Waters and City Council I and many others who have only recently becomeaware of Bill 40 must oppose the the use of the TAT to help fund rail It seems there are any
Writtennumber of backdoor plans to find the funds for rail despite the ongoing litany of items thateither have no clear fix andor no specific bottom line At some point you must realize thatTestimony
the rail is not a sustainable to use the popular contemporary term project and to continuepursuing this immense burden portends financial ruin for all of us Please let common senserule your decisions
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IF 19216820067
1
1 PETER A GANABANbull Business Manager
ampcretarj- Treasure
ALFONSO OlIVERPesident
JOBY NORTh IIlice President
TONI FIG(ERO4Recording Secretary
JAMES DRLrsquoMGOLD JRExecutiye Bd
ORLANDO PAESTEExecutive Board
JOSFIrsquoK jAWEsecutiw Board
ESTIIERAILA4udaor
RUSSELl NAPIIIA-4Auditor
SI lsquoIRK TRAVALINO4uJior
MAITINARAN4YDOamprgearn-dt-Arms
LIUNA Local 3681617 Palarna StreetHonolulu HI 96817
Phone (808) 841-5877Fax (808)847-7829
wiwIocaI368org
LiUNA
TESTIMONY OF THE HAWAII LABORERSrsquo UNION LOCAL 358
Honolulu City CouncilCouncil Meeting
Wednesday October 6 20211000 AM
RE Bill 40(2021) mdash RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATION TAX(TAT)
Chair Waters Vice-chair Kiarsquoaina and Council Members
The Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 and its 5000 working and retired men andwomen across the state of Hawaii stand in strong support of Bill 40(2021) whichestablishes a transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) for the City and Countyof Honolulu
The TAT funding proposed in Bill 40 would allow the City and County of Honoluluto maintain and preserve our island while mitigating the impacts of our naturalresources while also building new and existing infrastructure - including theHonolulu Rail Project This proposed measure would help generate much neededrevenue while having our island visitors help in sharing the cost
Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 respectfully requests that the council takefavorable action on this measure and support Bill 40
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony
Shingayi MasiyaGovernment Relations Director
Feel the Power
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 754 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Paul Yonamine
PhoneEmail paulyonaminecpbbank
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncil
Committee
Agenda Item Testimony and Support for Bill 40Your position
Supporton the mailer
Representing Self
Organization
Testimony and Support for Bill 40
I am Paul Yonamine Executive Chairman of Central Pacific Bank andI am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transientaccommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of thisamount I would respectfully request that a portion be set aside for thecompletion of the Honolulu rail project This new revenue source atourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both ofwhom will use and ride a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steadypace Work on utility relocation also continues Work either out to bidor ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficult section of
Written Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and aTestimony dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of a
system that wilt transform Oahu - Westside families will have theoption to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending anhourdivide in traffic Transit-oriented developments (TOD) to includeaffordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances
Rail and TOD represents the single most important economic driverfor the City and County of Honolulu and the state of Hawaii It alsopresents an invaluable opportunity for more affordable housingdevelopment for generations to come Donrsquot stop and impedeprogress of rail because of past project mismanagement We shouldmake sure the project is fully funded and that capable projectmanagers are hired positioned and empowered to complete thisproject
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support andlook forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 824 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Michael KamakaPhone
Email mkamakabowersandkubotacomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40 - Transient Accommodations TaxYour position
Supporton the matterRepresenting SelfOrganization
October 6 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer and Council MembersHonolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Sill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodation TaxDear Chair Waters and MembersPlease accept this written testimony of my support of Bill 40 toestablish a transient accommodations tax for the City and County ofHonolulu Under Sill 40
Written I believe a transient accommodations tax collects the fair and equitableTestimony amount from visitors who enjoy our City and County of Honolulu today
and in the future The tax will provide funding to mitigate impacts ofvisitors by providing money to support the restoration and maintenanceof public facilitiesAs part of the mitigation to the impacts of visitors I respectfully requesta portion of this transient accommodations tax be set aside to supportthe completion of the Honolulu rail project A rail system will helpmitigate the impacts by visitors in the Honolulu area by providing acleaner alternative of transportation thereby minimizing pollutantscaused by vehicle traffic and congestionAlthough there has been fiscal schedule and constructabilitychallenges there is a renewed hope and optimism for the completionof the rail system A renewable source of funding is the opportunity toposition HART for a successful completion of the rail system With new
1
leadership at HART I am confident HART has the people industrytrust transparency technical expertise and viable action plan neededto move this project ahead Funding through a portion of the transientaccommodation tax will provide a sustainable and dedicated fundingsource to allow construction to continueThank you for allowing me this opportunity to submit my support for Bill40Respectfully
Michael Kamaka PE Principal
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 1047 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Evan CuePhone
Email eoueimanaka-asatocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40Your position on the
Commentmatter
Representing Organization
Organization ARDA Hawaii
Please find attached ARDA Hawaiirsquos Testimony providingWritten Testimonycomments on Bill 40
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and1Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
1
October 5 2021
TO Councilmember Tommy Waters Chair
Councilmember Esther Kiaaina Vice- Chair
Members of the Honolulu City Council
FR AMERICAN RESORT DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION ndash HAWAII (ARDA Hawaii)
RE Comments on Bill 40 (Bill 40) RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT
ACCOMMODATIONS TAX (ESTABLISHING A TRANSIENT
ACCOMMODATIONS TAX FOR THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU
PROVIDE FOR ITS IMPOSITION AND DISPOSITION AND FACILITATE THE
RECEIPT AND DEPOSIT OF THE REVENUES DERIVED FROM THE TRANSIENT
ACCOMMODATIONS TAX)
Aloha Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Thank you for allowing ARDA Hawaii to submit testimony providing Comments and
Amendments to Bill 40 establishing a transient accommodations tax for the City and County of
Honolulu ARDA Hawaii is the local chapter of the trade association for the timeshare industry
Timeshare is an important and stabilizing part of the tourism industry and Honolulus economy
Timeshare owners have made a long-term commitment to Honolulu by purchasing and owning
real property in the County These owners are consistent and dependable visitors who bring
substantial tax dollars and continue to come even during periods of economic downturn
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (County
TAT) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gross rental proceeds derived
from the furnishing of transient accommodations Every transient accommodation broker travel
agency and tour packager that arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shall
pay the County TAT Further every time share vacation plan must be represented by a plan
manager Pursuant to Section 7 the new County TAT is considered levied on the effective date of
Bill 40
ARDA Hawaii understands the need for the County to establish the County TAT
however we have concerns with the timing of the application of the additional 3 percent
increase Having the County TAT levied upon approval puts hotel operators at a disadvantage
Essentially this would mean that the County TAT would be retroactively applicable to
2
reservations made on the effective date even though the bill has not been signed by the Mayor
Furthermore hotel operators will not be able to 1) disclose the new tax to guests in advance and
2) adjust booking systems and rental agreements to collect the new tax from guests after the
County TAT has been officially established In turn operators will need to pay for the County
TAT themselves for reservations on the effective date
Moreover timeshare resorts will need to update their Hawaii disclosure statements and
file with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) This is often a time-
consuming process requiring approval from the DCCA Having Bill 40 be levied upon approval
will lead to inadequate disclosure to customers Imposing the County TAT in this manner will
make it impossible for developers and operators to provide full and fair disclosure to buyers
owners and other occupants
Accordingly ARDA Hawaii respectfully requests the County TAT be levied at a
minimum not earlier than 30 days after Bill 40s approval to allow 1) appropriate notice to be
given to travel partners that the law has been signed 2) hotel operators to charge for the
County TAT that is officially passed 3) booking engines to be updated with the new County
TAT and 4) rental agreements to be modified with the new required language Further the any
additional time will provide developers and timeshare operators time to update disclosure
statements with DCCA and provide consumers with full and fair disclosure
Specifically ARDA Hawaii recommends the following amendment to Bill 40
1 Amend Section 7 to state This ordinance takes effect upon its approval The transient
accommodations tax established by this ordinance is considered levied 30 days after
approval
Mahalo for your consideration of our comments We look forward to working with the
Council on implementing a policy that will enhance the ability of developers and operators to
comply with the new existing laws and requirements that compel fair and full disclosure of the
County TAT to consumers
Respectfully Submitted
Mitchell A Imanaka
Chair
American Resort Development Association of Hawaii
HAWAII OPERATING ENGINEERSINDusTRY STABILIZATION FuND
(ccedilg) 1
lsquoheftzc cqr ltnagth ant orkrn ngctaer(a a Ut
October 5 2021
Honorable Tommy Waters Honolulu City Council ChairHonorable Esther Kiarsquoaacuteina Honolulu City Council Vice ChairHonorable Members of the Honolulu City Council
RE Bill 40(2021) Relating to the transient accommodations tax (Establishing a transient
accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and
facilitate the receipt and deposit of the revenues derived from the transient accommodations tax)
Chair Waters
My name is Pane Meatoga Ill and I am the Community Liaison representing the Hawaii OperatingEngineers Industry Stabilization Fund (HOEISF) We are a labor management fund representing 3000unionized members in heavy engineering site work and 500 general contractors specializing in heavy siteand vertical construction Our organization would like to offer our written testimony in support of Bill40(2021)
Construction of the rait guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utility relocationalso continues Currently construction work has either been bid out or is ready to start the bidingprocess and design work is ongoing for the most difficult section of Dillingham Boulevard We aregetting closer to the finish line and members of Operating Engineers Local 3 and other trade unions arehard at work making this project a reality
We believe a dedicated local revenue source that is not from real property taxes will allow for thecompleUon of a rail system that lsquoArsquoill transform Oahu for the benefit of future generations A fixedpercentage of the Cityrsquos Transient Accommodation Tax (TAT) dedicated to rail is exactly what the countyneeds now to continue this project We recommend that the Honolulu City Council consider allocatinga percentage of the Countyrsquos TAT to the Honolulu Rail Project
We appreciate the Honolulu City Council taking up this bill We look forward to Bill 40 progressingthrough the legislative process and we look forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
Sincerely
Pane Meatoga IllHawaii Operating Engineers Industry Stabilization Fund
pnceuroh pciLccrn
DUHO1IFONjasorsca4 ampuatildeder
HAWAII
October 52021
Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairMembers of the Honolulu City Council
RE Comments on Bill 40 (ldquoBill 40rdquo) Rclating to the Transient Accommodations TaxHearing date Wednesday October 6 2021 at 1000 AM
Aloha Chair Waters Vicc Chair Kiarsquoaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Mahalo for the opportunity to submit testimony on behalf of DR Horton Hawaii LLC(ldquoDR Hortonrdquo) in Support of Bill 40 relating to the transient accommodations tax DR Hortonis one of Hawaiirsquos largest home builders and has been providing affordable housing and first-timebuyer homes for Hawaiirsquos families throughout Oahu for nearly fifty years
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (ldquoCountyTATrdquo) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gross rental proceeds derivedfrom the furnishing of transient accommodations Every transient accommodation broker travelagency and tour packagDr that arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shallpay the County TAT Additionally Bill 40 allocates percentages of the tax revenue generated bythe County TAT into I) the general fund 2) the transit fund established under Chapter 6 Article61 and 3) a special account in the general fund specifically used to mitigate the impacts of visitorson public facilities including the restoration and maintenance of beaches and parks
Prinarily DR Horton supports an allocation of the County TAT to be dedicated tofunding the rail project We favor a fixed allocation of funding that will enable the city to finishand maintain the project in a fiscally responsible way allowing the rail project to be completedwithout raising property taxes or endangering the Countyrsquos bond rating Furthermore funding therail project will restore confidence with the FTA and potentially unlock much needed federalfunding
Additionally the completion of the rail project will directly influence the creation of asignificant inventory of much needed affordable housing Completing the rail project willincentivize transit oriented development around the downtown and Ala Moana rail stationsprojected to create an additional 11600 housing units Failing to complete the rail project will putus that much further behind the curve in reaching our collective affordable housing goals
Dahu Maui Hawaii Island Kauai
130 Merchant Street Suite 112 Honolulu Hawaii 96813 8085215661
wwwdrhortoncomhawaii
Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairOctober 52021Page 2
Finally completion of the rail has the added benefit of decreasing our dependance onimported oil and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging multi-modal forms oftransportation that are both walkable and bikeable consistent with the Cityrsquos long term planninggoals Further the completion of the rail project will create a much needed connection betweenmaster planned communities in Ewa and downtown Honolulu enhancing the quality life forfamilies living in West Oahu
In summary DR Horton supports Bill 40 and the proposed allocations Mahalo for yourtime and consideration It is very much appreciated Should you have any questions please donot hesitate to contact me at 808-782-4109 or ttonakicdrhortoneom
Sincerely
9KTracy TonakiSenior Vice President
Evan Quoeoueirnanaka-asatoeom
1065 Ahua StreetHonolulu H 96819Phone 808-833-1681 FAX 839-4167Email jfbullfccedileaIigcaQia (iINERAI (lsquo()NrIAuIORS ASSOCIATION OF I IAWAIIWebsite wwwgcahawoiiore
Quality People Quality Projects
October 162021
Councilman Tommy Waters ChairMembers of the City CouncilCity amp County of the Honolulu CityHonolulu HI 96813
Re Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the City Council
The General Contractors Association of Hawaii (GCA) is an organization comprised ofapproximately five hundred (500) general contractors subcontractors and construction relatedfirms The GCA was established in 1932 and is the largest construction association in the Stateof Hawaii Our mission is to elevate Hawaiirsquos construction industry and strengthen thefoundation of our community
GCA is in STRONG SUPPORT of Bill 40 which establishes a transient accommodations taxfor the City and County of Honolulu
Of this amount we respectfully request that a portion be set aside for the completion of theI lonolulu rail project This new revenue source a tourist tax comes from our visitors rather thanour residents both of whom will use and ridc a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utilityrelocation also continues A dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of asystem that will transform Oahu Westsidc families will have the option to ride the rail to workand school rather than spending an hour-4- in traffic
Further transit-oriented developments include affordable units along the route This will helpaddress our housing shortage asll600 housing units along the downtown and Ala Moana railstations will be completed as a result of the TOD planning This creates multi-modals form oftransportation that allow for walkable bikeable communities and safe streets for families
Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony in support of Bill 40
Ryan Sakuda
ryan(gcahawaiiorg
-4rsquo
a4714rdquo t014 5n
Testimony by Harry SaundersPresident Castle amp Cooke Hawairsquoi
October 5 2021
City and County of Honolulu City CouncilRegarding
BILL 40 (2021)RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS TAX
SUPPORT WITH COMMENTS
Chair amp Presiding Officer Tommy Waters Vice Chair Esther Kiarsquoaumlina and Members of the City Council
I am Harry Saunders Presidcnt of Castle amp Cookc Hawairsquoi Thank you for the opportunity to submittcstimony regarding Bill 40 (2021)
Castic amp Cooke Hawairsquoi supports the intent of Bill 40 that will dedicate a portion of the transientaccommodations tax into a transportation fund It is critical that this bill have a fixed percentage of thetransient accommodations tax dedicated towards the funding of the rail so the city can finish the projectin a fiscally responsible way without raising property taxes and endangering our cityrsquos bond rating
Allocating a fixed percentage of the transient accommodations tax to fund the rail transit project will havelong temi benefits to visitors and kamarsquoaina alike
Rail will provide multi-modal opportunities giving residents transportation options It will help reducethe dependence on vehicles and its requisite imported oils with overall benefits to the health of ourenvironment Rail will reduce commute times for residents living in outlying communities The timethey gain back will enhance their quality of life
It also provides housing and redevelopment opportunities to communities With this redevelopmentcomes affordable housing Affordable housing planned in Transit Oriented Development for thedowntown and Ala Moana rail stations is a combined 11600 housing units
Allocating a fixed percentage of the TAT funding to Rail will pay for the ongoing operations andmaintenance of the system after construction has been completed again without the need to raiseproperty taxes
Mahalo for your consideration of my testimony Should you have any questions please feel free tocontact us
Harry Saunders Garret MatsunamiPresident Vice President Residential OperationsCastle amp Cooke Hawairsquoi Castle amp Cooke Hawairsquoifsakai(i2eastlecookeeom gmatsunamicastlecookecomPhone 548-4884 Phone 626-3625llcQmacastIecookecom
680 Iwilei Road Box 510 Honolulu Hawaii 96817Phone (808) 548-4811 Fax (808) 548-6690
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 110 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mufi HannemannPhoneEmail mhannemanncopyhawaBlodgingorgMeeting Date 10-06-2021CouncilPH
CouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40Your position
Commenton the matter
Representing Organization
Organization Hawairsquoi Lodging amp Tourism AssociationTestimony ofMufi HannemannPresident amp CEOHawaii Lodging amp Tourism Association
Honolulu City CouncilBill 40 (2021)October 6 2021
Chair Waters and members of the Honolulu City Council mahalo forthe opportunity to submit testimony on behalf of the Hawaii Lodging ampTourism Association the statersquos largest private sector visitor industryorganization
WrittenTestimony The Hawaii Lodging amp Tourism Associationmdashnearly 700 members
strong representing more than 50000 hotel rooms and nearly 40000lodging workersmdashstrongly opposed the passage of House Bill 862which among myriad other issues stripped the State TransientAccommodations Tax (TAT) allocation to the counties and allowed forup to an additional three percent surcharge to be levied on lodgingproperties The surcharge proposed by this measure represents a 29increase to the TAT that comes at a highly inopportune time for anindustry that has been drastically affected by the pandemic and travelrestrictions However with the veto override by the Legislature andthe ultimate passage of HB 862 we recognize the financial position inwhich the City amp County of Honolulu finds itself and the need todeliberate on the introduced bill As the latest version of Bill 40 (2020)does not stipulate the percentages by which the collected tax monies
will be divided between the general fund transit fund and theunnamed visitor impact fund we would like to provide comments onthe proposed measure at this time
As the vast majority of monies raised by the TATmdashand the new threepercent surchargemdashwill undoubtedly come from the pockets of visitorsit is our position that the lionrsquos share of these funds should be utilizedto address tourism related needs and the impacts created by travelersto Hawaii The opportunities in this regard are seemingly endless andcould include more routine county tasks such as road refinishing andupdates to our infrastructure but should also be used on projects moredirectly associated with tourism impacts like trail management beachand park maintenance additional support for first responders and theprovision of adequate public safety staffing at beaches and other Cityinstallations
We are all aware of the discussions currently happening in thecommunity that focus upon tourism its impact on our naturalresources and communities and the significant role it plays in oureconomy Anti-tourism sentiments are at an all-time high and both thetourism industry and the community are working to strike a finebalance that suits both residents and visitors to our home Relegatinga significant portion of funds generated by the surcharge to the tourismimpact fund would ensure that the City is appropriately addressing thevarious issues surrounding tourism with visitor dollars and would maketransparency in the process that much more likely The HawaiiTourism Authorityrsquos Destination Management Action Plan processmdashwhich aims to better manage tourism for our entire statemdashhas beencompleted for Oahu and this would be an ideal jumping off point tobegin discussion of how surcharge funds are utilized for some of theirpriorities Finally we would also like to better understand who willoversee the special tourism impact fund and ensure that said funds willbe used for their intended purposes through a transparent process
We look forward to a robust public discourse on this measure andthank you for the opportunity to provide these comments
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
Mobi[e 8084288717
c EmaH indascFarzschtzcoIlabortvecoin- lsquo- 5chatzcohaboratvecomcollaborative
October 5 2021
Via email to Honolulu City Council
SUBJECT Bill 40(2021) mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations TaxCouncil Meeting October 6 2021 1000am
Dear Council Members
I am submitting written testimony to offer comments to Bill 40
This bill must have a fixed percentage of the TAT dedicated to funding the rail to avoidraising property taxes or jeopardizing our bond rating
Irsquove been a housing advocate and developer for the last 20 years and have supported effortsto create multi-modal neighborhoods in the primary urban core If a fixed percentage of atleast half of the TAT to the county goes to rail construction operations and rail focusedactivities such as TOD it will help create ripe conditions for housing redevelopment andwalkable communities Rail is also a catalyst to begin the efforts to bring back sociallyequitable planning efforts to disadvantaged neighborhoods on Dahu Without a dedicatedsource of funding we lose so much more in terms of equitable opportunities for Oahursquoscommunity and future generations
Thank you again for the opportunity to submit this testimony If there are any questions or ifadditional information is needed please do not hesitate to contact me at (808)428-8717
Warmest Regards
Linda Schatz
Principal
HAWAII REGIONAL COUNCIL OF
CARPENTERS
October 6 2021
City Council
City amp County of Honolulu
Councilmember Tommy Waters Chair
Councilmember Esther Kiarsquoatildeina Vice Chair
Statement of the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters mdash SUPPORT for Bill 40 (2021)mdashRelating to thetransient accommodations tax
Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiarsquoatildeina and Members of the Council
The Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters would like to offer their support for Bill 40 relating to thetransient accommodations tax
Specifically this bill must contain a fixed percentage of the TAT that is dedicated to funding for rail sothe city can finish the project in fiscally responsible way without the need to raise property taxes
Dedicating a percentage of the TAT will also pay for the ongoing operations and maintenance of thesystem after construction has been completed again without the need to raise property taxes
Modernizing our infrastructure is important piece of the Biden administrationrsquos plan to ldquoBuild BackBetterrdquo Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will restore confidence with the FTA andcould potentially unlock additional federal funding opportunities
The downtown and Ala Moana rail stations will have a combined 11600 housing units as a result of theTransit Orientated Development planning and without a completed Rail project TOD and our affordablehousing goals cannot be met
Mass transit will decrease our dependance on imported oil reduce our greenhouse gas emissions andallow for the creation of walkable bikeable communities and safe streets for families
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has studied the impact of public transportation systems and rail isassociated with reductions in several health risk factors such as motor vehicle crashes air pollution andphysical inactivity
STATE HEADQUARTERS amp BUSINESS OFFICESOAIIU 1311 Hoiighiailirig SEreetHonnlulu Hawaii 96S17rsquo2711 bull Ph (808) 847-5761 Fax (808) 440-9188
111W OFFICE 525 Kilauca Avenue Room 205 Fur Hawaii 967203050 bull Ph (808) 935-8575 lOx (808) 935-8576KONA OFFICE 75-126 Lunapule RoadKajlua-Kona Hawaii 96740-2106 bull Ph (808) 329-7355 Fax (808) 326-9376
MAUI OFFICE 330 Hookahi StreetWailuku Maui 96793-1449 bull Ph (808) 2426891 Fax (808) 242-5961IA[JAI OFFICE KuIjo Medical CEr Bldg3-3295 Kuhio HwySuiteZOiLihue Kauai 96766-1040 Ph(SO8) 245-8511 Fax (808) 245-8911
A completed rail system will afford greater transportation options for Honolulu especially for seniors
and those who cannot afford the high costs of owning a vehicle
And it will enhance the quality life for leeward families who spend hours in traffic each day
Mahalo for your consideration
Nathaniel KinneynRinncyhrcc-bwflccm
MOVEOAHUFORWARD
October 6 2021
Chairman Tommy Waters and members of the Honolulu City Council
Aloha my name is Jennifer Sabas and I serve as the Executive Director of Move Oahu Forward a nonprofit organization supporting the Honolulu rail project as an integral part of a robust publictransportation system on Oahu I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish atransient accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of this amount I wouldrespectfully request that a portion be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project Thisnew revenue source a tourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both of whosewill ride the finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utility relocationalso continues Work either out to bid or ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficultsection of Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and a dedicated localrevenue source will allow for the completion of a system that will transform Oahu - Westside familieswill have the option to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending an hour+ in trafficTransit-oriented developments to include affordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances for many Oahu families
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support and look forward to a rigorousdebate and discussion in the months ahead
Aloha
Jennifer SabasExecutive DirectorMove Oahu ForwardP0 Box 1329Honolulu HI 96807
jennifermoveoahuforwardorg
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 353 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Nelisa Asato
Phone
Email nasatomatsoncomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee CouncilAgenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter SupportRepresenting Organization
Organization Matson Navigation Company IncWritten Testimony
Testimony AttachmentAccept Terms and Agreement 1
IP 19216820067
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 419 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Denise Boisvert
Phone
Email infofordeniseyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
YES I FULLY SUPPORT Bill 40 proposed by ChairWaters
Written Testimony All the requirements in the proposed bill are EXCELLENT
Mahalo to all for your kind consideration to more this billforward
Testimony Attachment
AcceptTerms and1
Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 418 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mary Kate Duggan
Phone
Email marykateelizabethduggangmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Resolution 21-234
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
Written Testimony
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and Agreement 1
lP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 423 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Kim Jorgensen
Phone
Email hawaiicondoyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on thematter
Support
Representing SelfOrganization
Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony on Bill 40 IWritten Testimonyfully SUPPORT it
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and1Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
HAwAII STATE AFL-CIO888 Mililani Street Suite 501 bull Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Randy Perreira Telephone (808)597-1441President Fax (808) 593-2149
City CouncilCity and County of Honolulu
Testimony byHawairsquoi State AFL-CIO
October 6 2021
Testimony in SUPPORT of Bill 40 Relating tothe Transient Accommodations Tax
The Hawairsquoi State AFL-CIO is a state federation of 74 affiliate local unions and councils with over68000 members across both public and private sectors We appreciate the opportunity to testify insupport of Bill 40
Of all counties in the state swift measures must be taken to mitigate the negative impact overtourismhas on Honolulursquos infrastructure Traffic congestion in Honolulu is exacerbated by the visitorindustry Establishing a three percent transient accommodations tax is key to generating the revenueneeded to invest in Orsquoahursquos public transportation system The Honolulu Rail Transit Project is apublic good that will benefit 0rsquo ahu workers residents and visitors alike by providing a publictransportation option that complements The Bus and further relieves traffic congestion where it ismost needed
We appreciate your consideration of our testimony in support of Bill 40 and strongly urge you to passthis bill
ectfullysnitted
Randy PerreiraPresident
Dion DizonQfbwtcio org
HAWAII APPLESEEDCENTER FOR LAW amp ECONOMIC JUSTTCE
Testimony of the Hawairsquoi Appleseed Center for Law and Economic JusticeSUPPORT mdash Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
City and County of HonoluluWednesday October 6 2021 10AM
Aloha Chair Waters and Councilmembers
We at Hawaii Appleseed strongly support Bill 40 and efforts to use TAT funds to complete therail project as it will dramatically increase the housing stock in TOD areas and create efficientand equitable access to transit To support the affordable housing that Oahu desperately needswe must finish the rail and provide the subsidies needed to ensure that housing is prioritized forlocal residents and stays affordable over the long-term
In addition we urge the council to provide that a fixed percentage of the TAT be allocatedto rail funding so the project can be completed in a fiscally responsible way with a securefunding stream Ideally all of the necessary funds for completion and ongoing maintenance cancome from this dedicated funding which is paid for by visitors to Oahu
Finishing the rail will enable thousands of homes to be built along the rail corridor Withappropriate affordability restrictions and public support these homes can address the severeshortage of affordable housing here on Oahu A recent 2020 study prepared by PBR Hawaii forthe Hawaii Office of Planning estimates the addition of 50900 residential units around the EastKapolei Stadium and lwilei TOD areas alone1rsquo Although these homes will be built in phasesover the next 40 years it is clear that development around rail can substantially contribute to oursupply of affordable housing According to the 2019 Hawaii Housing Planning Study Oahu willneed an additional 22168 residential units by 2025 with half of the need for households withcombined incomes of $75000 or less
Rail is needed to alleviate traffic and provide walkable neighborhoodsAs Oahu plans for the future we should be focused on housing constructed in walkable urbanneighborhoods with easy access to amenities parks and transit To support the smartaffordable and sustainable growth that is needed we should be building around rail-but first wemust complete the rail Access to rail offers an alternative to driving is likely to reduce traffic for
1 July 2020 State Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning and Implementation Project for theisland of Dahu by PBR Hawaii for the Hawaii State Office of Planning Attachment C
communities along the Leeward Coast and wHI create a more equitable way to access theurban core of Honolulu
We strongly urge the council to pass Bill 40 and to continue to work towards creating acomprehensive affordable housing strategy for the residents of Oahu Completing the rail is vitalto enable housing construction but it will take further efforts to ensure that a majority of housingis reserved for local residents and stays affordable over time
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify
Kenna Stormogipsonkennahibudgetorg
October 5 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer And Council Members
Honolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accomodation Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members
I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transient accommodations tax forthe City and County of Honolulu In addition I respectfully request a portion of this generatedtax to be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project We all realize the pastchallenges of the rail project but now have a great opportunity to position HART for a successfulcompletion of the Rail system
With the new leadership at HART I am more confident than ever that we have the managementindustry tmst transparency technical expertise and action plan required to move this projectahead This dedicated funding source which will be shouldered by our tourist will allowconstruction to continue toward a successful completion for ALL of us This will also spurTransit Oriented Deveiopment around the system to help create housing and businessopportunities in our communities
Thank you for this opportunity to submit my support for Bill 40 and to generate an additionalrevenue source for HART
Respectfully
Dexter Kubota PEVice President
dkubota bowersandkubotacom
a a aareg
aqJrsquoJ1001 Bishop Street I Suite 625 I Honolulu HI 96213-28301-866-295-7282 I Fax 808-536-2882
bull aarporghi I aarphiaarporg I twittercomAARPHawaiI
H auva i I
Honolulu City CouncilOctober 6 2021 1000 am
TO The Honorable Tommy Waters ChairpersonRE Bill 40mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the Committee
My name is Kealirsquoi Lopez and I am the State Director for AARP Hawairsquoi AARP is a membershiporganization of people age fifty and over with nearly 145000 members in HawaiiAARP Hawaii supports Bill 40 which seeks to establish transient accommodations tax (TAT) forthe City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and facilitate thereceipt and deposit of the revenue derived
We respectfully wish to add our comment and support for a dedicated percentage of the TATthat will support the mass transit project Having an ongoing dedicated source of funding willhelp pay for mass transit project the ongoing operations and maintenance of the system afterconstruction has been completed and without the need to raise property taxes
AARP has been a strong proponent of an age-friendly community that includesbull Multi-modal forms of transportation for people of all ages Rail affords another
transportation option for Honolulu especially for seniors and those who cannot affordthe high costs of owning a vehicle
bull Transit Orient Developments (TaD) with affordable housings built within walking andbiking distance of major rail stations
Bill 40 provides an opportunity for the City to modernize and complete our transportationinfrastructure Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will help restore confidencewith the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) and could potentially unlock additionalfederal funding opportunities and other public sources to finish the project Thank you for theopportunity to testify in support of Bill 40
Sincerely
lsquos--rsquo hr
Kealirsquoi Lopez State Director
klopezaarporg
BIABUILDING INDUSTRY
A S SOC AT ION ana
TESTIMONY TO THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCILHONOLULU HALE
COUNCIL CHAMBERSOctober 6 2021
900 AM
Honorable Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Council
RE Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
My name is Daryl Takamiya Chair of the Government Relations Committee of the BuildingIndustry Association of Hawaii (BIA-HawaN) Chartered in 1955 the Building IndustryAssociation of Hawaii is a professional trade organization affiliated with the National Associationof Home Builders representing the building industry and its associates BIA-HawaH takes aleadership role in unifying and promoting the interests of the industry to enhance the quality oflife for the people of Hawah Our members build the communities we all call home
BIA-Hawaii is in support of Bill 40 which would establish a transient accommodations tax for theCity and County of Honolulu specifically the portion of the bill that would provide for a depositinto the established transit fund
BIA-Hawaii continues to support the transit system on the island of Oahu because it willincrease the availability of housing as transit-oriented development communities are built Thelack of affordable housing and other quality of life issues continue to plague our communitiesImproving transportation will only help to alleviate these issues and without a completed railproject affordable housing goals will not be met Bill 40 will be an important component toensure that the transit system is brought to successful completion
We appreciate the opportunity to express our views on Sill 40
Stefanie Y Sakamotostefsakamotoconsultingcom
tamp 006-629-7501 94-487 Akoki St Ste 213 wwwbiahawakorg
fax 808-629-7701 Waipahu HI 9679 infobiahawaiiorg
From CLK Council Into
Sent Tuesday October 5 2021 657 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Stanford Masui
Phone
Email standamanniasuigmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-202 1
CouncilPHBudgetCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40
YOLIE positionOppose
on the matter
Representing Organization
Organization RAILSOS (Study Other Solutions)
Chairman Waters and members of the councilOur organization opposes this bill as written1 It assumes that a portion of the TAT will be set aside for a transit fund for the rail Thisassumption should not he made without a vigorous discussion as whether funds should hesiphoned off for a project that is no longer financially viable To put it bluntly why ldquothrowgood money after badrdquo
2 The rail is at an inflection point as to whether it should he constructed beyond its currentendpoint at Middle St or further intensive study as to viable alternatives rather thancontinuing on to Ala Moana at a prohibitive cost Past VIA administrators have urged the cityto consider modification of its plans a clear signal that additional funding may not beforthcoming
Wutten3 Transit Oriented Development is a myth Most of the buildina of condos in the KapiolaniTestimony -corridor were planned without any consideration of the rail route This is amply demonstratedby the fact that while HART struggles to come up with a funding plan and completion to AlaMoana is questionable developers are proceeding to build The numbers and actual cost ofaffordable housing in these condos are still too expensive for most people to afford Only onemajor project currently is in Ewa and that was planned years before the rail was developed
4 There are urgent issues that require immediate and priority funding homelessness and themental health system police fire and emergency services funding road and highwayimprovement and cleanup and improvement of tourist recreational areas such as parks andbeaches
5 Rather than triggering economic growth the public will be saddled with enormous debt bythe borrowed funding and operational expense estimated variously at present at $120- $150
million per year Electricity costs will cause operational expense to double This project couldbankrupt the city
6 HART should develop a funding or recovery plan before it comes to the council for aportion of TAT revenues
7 The final Environmental Impact Statement indicates only a minimal effect in alleviatingtraffic congestion which is the major argument in favor of funding the rail- The motoringpublic will not see any improvement in driving times and the studies were made years agoand are no longer reliable
The Council is urged to delete any provision that funds the rail in favor of funding otherurgent prioritiesThank you for your consideration
Te stin]on yAttachment
Accept TermsI
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 730 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Leslie M Inouye
Phone
Email Iinouyel4gmai1com
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHBuddeget
Committee
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position onOppose
the matter
Representing Self
Organization
Chairman Waters and City Council I and many others who have only recently becomeaware of Bill 40 must oppose the the use of the TAT to help fund rail It seems there are any
Writtennumber of backdoor plans to find the funds for rail despite the ongoing litany of items thateither have no clear fix andor no specific bottom line At some point you must realize thatTestimony
the rail is not a sustainable to use the popular contemporary term project and to continuepursuing this immense burden portends financial ruin for all of us Please let common senserule your decisions
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IF 19216820067
1
1 PETER A GANABANbull Business Manager
ampcretarj- Treasure
ALFONSO OlIVERPesident
JOBY NORTh IIlice President
TONI FIG(ERO4Recording Secretary
JAMES DRLrsquoMGOLD JRExecutiye Bd
ORLANDO PAESTEExecutive Board
JOSFIrsquoK jAWEsecutiw Board
ESTIIERAILA4udaor
RUSSELl NAPIIIA-4Auditor
SI lsquoIRK TRAVALINO4uJior
MAITINARAN4YDOamprgearn-dt-Arms
LIUNA Local 3681617 Palarna StreetHonolulu HI 96817
Phone (808) 841-5877Fax (808)847-7829
wiwIocaI368org
LiUNA
TESTIMONY OF THE HAWAII LABORERSrsquo UNION LOCAL 358
Honolulu City CouncilCouncil Meeting
Wednesday October 6 20211000 AM
RE Bill 40(2021) mdash RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATION TAX(TAT)
Chair Waters Vice-chair Kiarsquoaina and Council Members
The Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 and its 5000 working and retired men andwomen across the state of Hawaii stand in strong support of Bill 40(2021) whichestablishes a transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) for the City and Countyof Honolulu
The TAT funding proposed in Bill 40 would allow the City and County of Honoluluto maintain and preserve our island while mitigating the impacts of our naturalresources while also building new and existing infrastructure - including theHonolulu Rail Project This proposed measure would help generate much neededrevenue while having our island visitors help in sharing the cost
Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 respectfully requests that the council takefavorable action on this measure and support Bill 40
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony
Shingayi MasiyaGovernment Relations Director
Feel the Power
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 754 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Paul Yonamine
PhoneEmail paulyonaminecpbbank
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncil
Committee
Agenda Item Testimony and Support for Bill 40Your position
Supporton the mailer
Representing Self
Organization
Testimony and Support for Bill 40
I am Paul Yonamine Executive Chairman of Central Pacific Bank andI am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transientaccommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of thisamount I would respectfully request that a portion be set aside for thecompletion of the Honolulu rail project This new revenue source atourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both ofwhom will use and ride a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steadypace Work on utility relocation also continues Work either out to bidor ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficult section of
Written Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and aTestimony dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of a
system that wilt transform Oahu - Westside families will have theoption to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending anhourdivide in traffic Transit-oriented developments (TOD) to includeaffordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances
Rail and TOD represents the single most important economic driverfor the City and County of Honolulu and the state of Hawaii It alsopresents an invaluable opportunity for more affordable housingdevelopment for generations to come Donrsquot stop and impedeprogress of rail because of past project mismanagement We shouldmake sure the project is fully funded and that capable projectmanagers are hired positioned and empowered to complete thisproject
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support andlook forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 824 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Michael KamakaPhone
Email mkamakabowersandkubotacomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40 - Transient Accommodations TaxYour position
Supporton the matterRepresenting SelfOrganization
October 6 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer and Council MembersHonolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Sill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodation TaxDear Chair Waters and MembersPlease accept this written testimony of my support of Bill 40 toestablish a transient accommodations tax for the City and County ofHonolulu Under Sill 40
Written I believe a transient accommodations tax collects the fair and equitableTestimony amount from visitors who enjoy our City and County of Honolulu today
and in the future The tax will provide funding to mitigate impacts ofvisitors by providing money to support the restoration and maintenanceof public facilitiesAs part of the mitigation to the impacts of visitors I respectfully requesta portion of this transient accommodations tax be set aside to supportthe completion of the Honolulu rail project A rail system will helpmitigate the impacts by visitors in the Honolulu area by providing acleaner alternative of transportation thereby minimizing pollutantscaused by vehicle traffic and congestionAlthough there has been fiscal schedule and constructabilitychallenges there is a renewed hope and optimism for the completionof the rail system A renewable source of funding is the opportunity toposition HART for a successful completion of the rail system With new
1
leadership at HART I am confident HART has the people industrytrust transparency technical expertise and viable action plan neededto move this project ahead Funding through a portion of the transientaccommodation tax will provide a sustainable and dedicated fundingsource to allow construction to continueThank you for allowing me this opportunity to submit my support for Bill40Respectfully
Michael Kamaka PE Principal
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
1
October 5 2021
TO Councilmember Tommy Waters Chair
Councilmember Esther Kiaaina Vice- Chair
Members of the Honolulu City Council
FR AMERICAN RESORT DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION ndash HAWAII (ARDA Hawaii)
RE Comments on Bill 40 (Bill 40) RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT
ACCOMMODATIONS TAX (ESTABLISHING A TRANSIENT
ACCOMMODATIONS TAX FOR THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU
PROVIDE FOR ITS IMPOSITION AND DISPOSITION AND FACILITATE THE
RECEIPT AND DEPOSIT OF THE REVENUES DERIVED FROM THE TRANSIENT
ACCOMMODATIONS TAX)
Aloha Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Thank you for allowing ARDA Hawaii to submit testimony providing Comments and
Amendments to Bill 40 establishing a transient accommodations tax for the City and County of
Honolulu ARDA Hawaii is the local chapter of the trade association for the timeshare industry
Timeshare is an important and stabilizing part of the tourism industry and Honolulus economy
Timeshare owners have made a long-term commitment to Honolulu by purchasing and owning
real property in the County These owners are consistent and dependable visitors who bring
substantial tax dollars and continue to come even during periods of economic downturn
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (County
TAT) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gross rental proceeds derived
from the furnishing of transient accommodations Every transient accommodation broker travel
agency and tour packager that arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shall
pay the County TAT Further every time share vacation plan must be represented by a plan
manager Pursuant to Section 7 the new County TAT is considered levied on the effective date of
Bill 40
ARDA Hawaii understands the need for the County to establish the County TAT
however we have concerns with the timing of the application of the additional 3 percent
increase Having the County TAT levied upon approval puts hotel operators at a disadvantage
Essentially this would mean that the County TAT would be retroactively applicable to
2
reservations made on the effective date even though the bill has not been signed by the Mayor
Furthermore hotel operators will not be able to 1) disclose the new tax to guests in advance and
2) adjust booking systems and rental agreements to collect the new tax from guests after the
County TAT has been officially established In turn operators will need to pay for the County
TAT themselves for reservations on the effective date
Moreover timeshare resorts will need to update their Hawaii disclosure statements and
file with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) This is often a time-
consuming process requiring approval from the DCCA Having Bill 40 be levied upon approval
will lead to inadequate disclosure to customers Imposing the County TAT in this manner will
make it impossible for developers and operators to provide full and fair disclosure to buyers
owners and other occupants
Accordingly ARDA Hawaii respectfully requests the County TAT be levied at a
minimum not earlier than 30 days after Bill 40s approval to allow 1) appropriate notice to be
given to travel partners that the law has been signed 2) hotel operators to charge for the
County TAT that is officially passed 3) booking engines to be updated with the new County
TAT and 4) rental agreements to be modified with the new required language Further the any
additional time will provide developers and timeshare operators time to update disclosure
statements with DCCA and provide consumers with full and fair disclosure
Specifically ARDA Hawaii recommends the following amendment to Bill 40
1 Amend Section 7 to state This ordinance takes effect upon its approval The transient
accommodations tax established by this ordinance is considered levied 30 days after
approval
Mahalo for your consideration of our comments We look forward to working with the
Council on implementing a policy that will enhance the ability of developers and operators to
comply with the new existing laws and requirements that compel fair and full disclosure of the
County TAT to consumers
Respectfully Submitted
Mitchell A Imanaka
Chair
American Resort Development Association of Hawaii
HAWAII OPERATING ENGINEERSINDusTRY STABILIZATION FuND
(ccedilg) 1
lsquoheftzc cqr ltnagth ant orkrn ngctaer(a a Ut
October 5 2021
Honorable Tommy Waters Honolulu City Council ChairHonorable Esther Kiarsquoaacuteina Honolulu City Council Vice ChairHonorable Members of the Honolulu City Council
RE Bill 40(2021) Relating to the transient accommodations tax (Establishing a transient
accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and
facilitate the receipt and deposit of the revenues derived from the transient accommodations tax)
Chair Waters
My name is Pane Meatoga Ill and I am the Community Liaison representing the Hawaii OperatingEngineers Industry Stabilization Fund (HOEISF) We are a labor management fund representing 3000unionized members in heavy engineering site work and 500 general contractors specializing in heavy siteand vertical construction Our organization would like to offer our written testimony in support of Bill40(2021)
Construction of the rait guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utility relocationalso continues Currently construction work has either been bid out or is ready to start the bidingprocess and design work is ongoing for the most difficult section of Dillingham Boulevard We aregetting closer to the finish line and members of Operating Engineers Local 3 and other trade unions arehard at work making this project a reality
We believe a dedicated local revenue source that is not from real property taxes will allow for thecompleUon of a rail system that lsquoArsquoill transform Oahu for the benefit of future generations A fixedpercentage of the Cityrsquos Transient Accommodation Tax (TAT) dedicated to rail is exactly what the countyneeds now to continue this project We recommend that the Honolulu City Council consider allocatinga percentage of the Countyrsquos TAT to the Honolulu Rail Project
We appreciate the Honolulu City Council taking up this bill We look forward to Bill 40 progressingthrough the legislative process and we look forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
Sincerely
Pane Meatoga IllHawaii Operating Engineers Industry Stabilization Fund
pnceuroh pciLccrn
DUHO1IFONjasorsca4 ampuatildeder
HAWAII
October 52021
Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairMembers of the Honolulu City Council
RE Comments on Bill 40 (ldquoBill 40rdquo) Rclating to the Transient Accommodations TaxHearing date Wednesday October 6 2021 at 1000 AM
Aloha Chair Waters Vicc Chair Kiarsquoaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Mahalo for the opportunity to submit testimony on behalf of DR Horton Hawaii LLC(ldquoDR Hortonrdquo) in Support of Bill 40 relating to the transient accommodations tax DR Hortonis one of Hawaiirsquos largest home builders and has been providing affordable housing and first-timebuyer homes for Hawaiirsquos families throughout Oahu for nearly fifty years
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (ldquoCountyTATrdquo) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gross rental proceeds derivedfrom the furnishing of transient accommodations Every transient accommodation broker travelagency and tour packagDr that arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shallpay the County TAT Additionally Bill 40 allocates percentages of the tax revenue generated bythe County TAT into I) the general fund 2) the transit fund established under Chapter 6 Article61 and 3) a special account in the general fund specifically used to mitigate the impacts of visitorson public facilities including the restoration and maintenance of beaches and parks
Prinarily DR Horton supports an allocation of the County TAT to be dedicated tofunding the rail project We favor a fixed allocation of funding that will enable the city to finishand maintain the project in a fiscally responsible way allowing the rail project to be completedwithout raising property taxes or endangering the Countyrsquos bond rating Furthermore funding therail project will restore confidence with the FTA and potentially unlock much needed federalfunding
Additionally the completion of the rail project will directly influence the creation of asignificant inventory of much needed affordable housing Completing the rail project willincentivize transit oriented development around the downtown and Ala Moana rail stationsprojected to create an additional 11600 housing units Failing to complete the rail project will putus that much further behind the curve in reaching our collective affordable housing goals
Dahu Maui Hawaii Island Kauai
130 Merchant Street Suite 112 Honolulu Hawaii 96813 8085215661
wwwdrhortoncomhawaii
Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairOctober 52021Page 2
Finally completion of the rail has the added benefit of decreasing our dependance onimported oil and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging multi-modal forms oftransportation that are both walkable and bikeable consistent with the Cityrsquos long term planninggoals Further the completion of the rail project will create a much needed connection betweenmaster planned communities in Ewa and downtown Honolulu enhancing the quality life forfamilies living in West Oahu
In summary DR Horton supports Bill 40 and the proposed allocations Mahalo for yourtime and consideration It is very much appreciated Should you have any questions please donot hesitate to contact me at 808-782-4109 or ttonakicdrhortoneom
Sincerely
9KTracy TonakiSenior Vice President
Evan Quoeoueirnanaka-asatoeom
1065 Ahua StreetHonolulu H 96819Phone 808-833-1681 FAX 839-4167Email jfbullfccedileaIigcaQia (iINERAI (lsquo()NrIAuIORS ASSOCIATION OF I IAWAIIWebsite wwwgcahawoiiore
Quality People Quality Projects
October 162021
Councilman Tommy Waters ChairMembers of the City CouncilCity amp County of the Honolulu CityHonolulu HI 96813
Re Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the City Council
The General Contractors Association of Hawaii (GCA) is an organization comprised ofapproximately five hundred (500) general contractors subcontractors and construction relatedfirms The GCA was established in 1932 and is the largest construction association in the Stateof Hawaii Our mission is to elevate Hawaiirsquos construction industry and strengthen thefoundation of our community
GCA is in STRONG SUPPORT of Bill 40 which establishes a transient accommodations taxfor the City and County of Honolulu
Of this amount we respectfully request that a portion be set aside for the completion of theI lonolulu rail project This new revenue source a tourist tax comes from our visitors rather thanour residents both of whom will use and ridc a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utilityrelocation also continues A dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of asystem that will transform Oahu Westsidc families will have the option to ride the rail to workand school rather than spending an hour-4- in traffic
Further transit-oriented developments include affordable units along the route This will helpaddress our housing shortage asll600 housing units along the downtown and Ala Moana railstations will be completed as a result of the TOD planning This creates multi-modals form oftransportation that allow for walkable bikeable communities and safe streets for families
Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony in support of Bill 40
Ryan Sakuda
ryan(gcahawaiiorg
-4rsquo
a4714rdquo t014 5n
Testimony by Harry SaundersPresident Castle amp Cooke Hawairsquoi
October 5 2021
City and County of Honolulu City CouncilRegarding
BILL 40 (2021)RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS TAX
SUPPORT WITH COMMENTS
Chair amp Presiding Officer Tommy Waters Vice Chair Esther Kiarsquoaumlina and Members of the City Council
I am Harry Saunders Presidcnt of Castle amp Cookc Hawairsquoi Thank you for the opportunity to submittcstimony regarding Bill 40 (2021)
Castic amp Cooke Hawairsquoi supports the intent of Bill 40 that will dedicate a portion of the transientaccommodations tax into a transportation fund It is critical that this bill have a fixed percentage of thetransient accommodations tax dedicated towards the funding of the rail so the city can finish the projectin a fiscally responsible way without raising property taxes and endangering our cityrsquos bond rating
Allocating a fixed percentage of the transient accommodations tax to fund the rail transit project will havelong temi benefits to visitors and kamarsquoaina alike
Rail will provide multi-modal opportunities giving residents transportation options It will help reducethe dependence on vehicles and its requisite imported oils with overall benefits to the health of ourenvironment Rail will reduce commute times for residents living in outlying communities The timethey gain back will enhance their quality of life
It also provides housing and redevelopment opportunities to communities With this redevelopmentcomes affordable housing Affordable housing planned in Transit Oriented Development for thedowntown and Ala Moana rail stations is a combined 11600 housing units
Allocating a fixed percentage of the TAT funding to Rail will pay for the ongoing operations andmaintenance of the system after construction has been completed again without the need to raiseproperty taxes
Mahalo for your consideration of my testimony Should you have any questions please feel free tocontact us
Harry Saunders Garret MatsunamiPresident Vice President Residential OperationsCastle amp Cooke Hawairsquoi Castle amp Cooke Hawairsquoifsakai(i2eastlecookeeom gmatsunamicastlecookecomPhone 548-4884 Phone 626-3625llcQmacastIecookecom
680 Iwilei Road Box 510 Honolulu Hawaii 96817Phone (808) 548-4811 Fax (808) 548-6690
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 110 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mufi HannemannPhoneEmail mhannemanncopyhawaBlodgingorgMeeting Date 10-06-2021CouncilPH
CouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40Your position
Commenton the matter
Representing Organization
Organization Hawairsquoi Lodging amp Tourism AssociationTestimony ofMufi HannemannPresident amp CEOHawaii Lodging amp Tourism Association
Honolulu City CouncilBill 40 (2021)October 6 2021
Chair Waters and members of the Honolulu City Council mahalo forthe opportunity to submit testimony on behalf of the Hawaii Lodging ampTourism Association the statersquos largest private sector visitor industryorganization
WrittenTestimony The Hawaii Lodging amp Tourism Associationmdashnearly 700 members
strong representing more than 50000 hotel rooms and nearly 40000lodging workersmdashstrongly opposed the passage of House Bill 862which among myriad other issues stripped the State TransientAccommodations Tax (TAT) allocation to the counties and allowed forup to an additional three percent surcharge to be levied on lodgingproperties The surcharge proposed by this measure represents a 29increase to the TAT that comes at a highly inopportune time for anindustry that has been drastically affected by the pandemic and travelrestrictions However with the veto override by the Legislature andthe ultimate passage of HB 862 we recognize the financial position inwhich the City amp County of Honolulu finds itself and the need todeliberate on the introduced bill As the latest version of Bill 40 (2020)does not stipulate the percentages by which the collected tax monies
will be divided between the general fund transit fund and theunnamed visitor impact fund we would like to provide comments onthe proposed measure at this time
As the vast majority of monies raised by the TATmdashand the new threepercent surchargemdashwill undoubtedly come from the pockets of visitorsit is our position that the lionrsquos share of these funds should be utilizedto address tourism related needs and the impacts created by travelersto Hawaii The opportunities in this regard are seemingly endless andcould include more routine county tasks such as road refinishing andupdates to our infrastructure but should also be used on projects moredirectly associated with tourism impacts like trail management beachand park maintenance additional support for first responders and theprovision of adequate public safety staffing at beaches and other Cityinstallations
We are all aware of the discussions currently happening in thecommunity that focus upon tourism its impact on our naturalresources and communities and the significant role it plays in oureconomy Anti-tourism sentiments are at an all-time high and both thetourism industry and the community are working to strike a finebalance that suits both residents and visitors to our home Relegatinga significant portion of funds generated by the surcharge to the tourismimpact fund would ensure that the City is appropriately addressing thevarious issues surrounding tourism with visitor dollars and would maketransparency in the process that much more likely The HawaiiTourism Authorityrsquos Destination Management Action Plan processmdashwhich aims to better manage tourism for our entire statemdashhas beencompleted for Oahu and this would be an ideal jumping off point tobegin discussion of how surcharge funds are utilized for some of theirpriorities Finally we would also like to better understand who willoversee the special tourism impact fund and ensure that said funds willbe used for their intended purposes through a transparent process
We look forward to a robust public discourse on this measure andthank you for the opportunity to provide these comments
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
Mobi[e 8084288717
c EmaH indascFarzschtzcoIlabortvecoin- lsquo- 5chatzcohaboratvecomcollaborative
October 5 2021
Via email to Honolulu City Council
SUBJECT Bill 40(2021) mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations TaxCouncil Meeting October 6 2021 1000am
Dear Council Members
I am submitting written testimony to offer comments to Bill 40
This bill must have a fixed percentage of the TAT dedicated to funding the rail to avoidraising property taxes or jeopardizing our bond rating
Irsquove been a housing advocate and developer for the last 20 years and have supported effortsto create multi-modal neighborhoods in the primary urban core If a fixed percentage of atleast half of the TAT to the county goes to rail construction operations and rail focusedactivities such as TOD it will help create ripe conditions for housing redevelopment andwalkable communities Rail is also a catalyst to begin the efforts to bring back sociallyequitable planning efforts to disadvantaged neighborhoods on Dahu Without a dedicatedsource of funding we lose so much more in terms of equitable opportunities for Oahursquoscommunity and future generations
Thank you again for the opportunity to submit this testimony If there are any questions or ifadditional information is needed please do not hesitate to contact me at (808)428-8717
Warmest Regards
Linda Schatz
Principal
HAWAII REGIONAL COUNCIL OF
CARPENTERS
October 6 2021
City Council
City amp County of Honolulu
Councilmember Tommy Waters Chair
Councilmember Esther Kiarsquoatildeina Vice Chair
Statement of the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters mdash SUPPORT for Bill 40 (2021)mdashRelating to thetransient accommodations tax
Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiarsquoatildeina and Members of the Council
The Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters would like to offer their support for Bill 40 relating to thetransient accommodations tax
Specifically this bill must contain a fixed percentage of the TAT that is dedicated to funding for rail sothe city can finish the project in fiscally responsible way without the need to raise property taxes
Dedicating a percentage of the TAT will also pay for the ongoing operations and maintenance of thesystem after construction has been completed again without the need to raise property taxes
Modernizing our infrastructure is important piece of the Biden administrationrsquos plan to ldquoBuild BackBetterrdquo Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will restore confidence with the FTA andcould potentially unlock additional federal funding opportunities
The downtown and Ala Moana rail stations will have a combined 11600 housing units as a result of theTransit Orientated Development planning and without a completed Rail project TOD and our affordablehousing goals cannot be met
Mass transit will decrease our dependance on imported oil reduce our greenhouse gas emissions andallow for the creation of walkable bikeable communities and safe streets for families
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has studied the impact of public transportation systems and rail isassociated with reductions in several health risk factors such as motor vehicle crashes air pollution andphysical inactivity
STATE HEADQUARTERS amp BUSINESS OFFICESOAIIU 1311 Hoiighiailirig SEreetHonnlulu Hawaii 96S17rsquo2711 bull Ph (808) 847-5761 Fax (808) 440-9188
111W OFFICE 525 Kilauca Avenue Room 205 Fur Hawaii 967203050 bull Ph (808) 935-8575 lOx (808) 935-8576KONA OFFICE 75-126 Lunapule RoadKajlua-Kona Hawaii 96740-2106 bull Ph (808) 329-7355 Fax (808) 326-9376
MAUI OFFICE 330 Hookahi StreetWailuku Maui 96793-1449 bull Ph (808) 2426891 Fax (808) 242-5961IA[JAI OFFICE KuIjo Medical CEr Bldg3-3295 Kuhio HwySuiteZOiLihue Kauai 96766-1040 Ph(SO8) 245-8511 Fax (808) 245-8911
A completed rail system will afford greater transportation options for Honolulu especially for seniors
and those who cannot afford the high costs of owning a vehicle
And it will enhance the quality life for leeward families who spend hours in traffic each day
Mahalo for your consideration
Nathaniel KinneynRinncyhrcc-bwflccm
MOVEOAHUFORWARD
October 6 2021
Chairman Tommy Waters and members of the Honolulu City Council
Aloha my name is Jennifer Sabas and I serve as the Executive Director of Move Oahu Forward a nonprofit organization supporting the Honolulu rail project as an integral part of a robust publictransportation system on Oahu I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish atransient accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of this amount I wouldrespectfully request that a portion be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project Thisnew revenue source a tourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both of whosewill ride the finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utility relocationalso continues Work either out to bid or ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficultsection of Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and a dedicated localrevenue source will allow for the completion of a system that will transform Oahu - Westside familieswill have the option to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending an hour+ in trafficTransit-oriented developments to include affordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances for many Oahu families
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support and look forward to a rigorousdebate and discussion in the months ahead
Aloha
Jennifer SabasExecutive DirectorMove Oahu ForwardP0 Box 1329Honolulu HI 96807
jennifermoveoahuforwardorg
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 353 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Nelisa Asato
Phone
Email nasatomatsoncomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee CouncilAgenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter SupportRepresenting Organization
Organization Matson Navigation Company IncWritten Testimony
Testimony AttachmentAccept Terms and Agreement 1
IP 19216820067
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 419 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Denise Boisvert
Phone
Email infofordeniseyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
YES I FULLY SUPPORT Bill 40 proposed by ChairWaters
Written Testimony All the requirements in the proposed bill are EXCELLENT
Mahalo to all for your kind consideration to more this billforward
Testimony Attachment
AcceptTerms and1
Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 418 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mary Kate Duggan
Phone
Email marykateelizabethduggangmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Resolution 21-234
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
Written Testimony
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and Agreement 1
lP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 423 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Kim Jorgensen
Phone
Email hawaiicondoyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on thematter
Support
Representing SelfOrganization
Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony on Bill 40 IWritten Testimonyfully SUPPORT it
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and1Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
HAwAII STATE AFL-CIO888 Mililani Street Suite 501 bull Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Randy Perreira Telephone (808)597-1441President Fax (808) 593-2149
City CouncilCity and County of Honolulu
Testimony byHawairsquoi State AFL-CIO
October 6 2021
Testimony in SUPPORT of Bill 40 Relating tothe Transient Accommodations Tax
The Hawairsquoi State AFL-CIO is a state federation of 74 affiliate local unions and councils with over68000 members across both public and private sectors We appreciate the opportunity to testify insupport of Bill 40
Of all counties in the state swift measures must be taken to mitigate the negative impact overtourismhas on Honolulursquos infrastructure Traffic congestion in Honolulu is exacerbated by the visitorindustry Establishing a three percent transient accommodations tax is key to generating the revenueneeded to invest in Orsquoahursquos public transportation system The Honolulu Rail Transit Project is apublic good that will benefit 0rsquo ahu workers residents and visitors alike by providing a publictransportation option that complements The Bus and further relieves traffic congestion where it ismost needed
We appreciate your consideration of our testimony in support of Bill 40 and strongly urge you to passthis bill
ectfullysnitted
Randy PerreiraPresident
Dion DizonQfbwtcio org
HAWAII APPLESEEDCENTER FOR LAW amp ECONOMIC JUSTTCE
Testimony of the Hawairsquoi Appleseed Center for Law and Economic JusticeSUPPORT mdash Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
City and County of HonoluluWednesday October 6 2021 10AM
Aloha Chair Waters and Councilmembers
We at Hawaii Appleseed strongly support Bill 40 and efforts to use TAT funds to complete therail project as it will dramatically increase the housing stock in TOD areas and create efficientand equitable access to transit To support the affordable housing that Oahu desperately needswe must finish the rail and provide the subsidies needed to ensure that housing is prioritized forlocal residents and stays affordable over the long-term
In addition we urge the council to provide that a fixed percentage of the TAT be allocatedto rail funding so the project can be completed in a fiscally responsible way with a securefunding stream Ideally all of the necessary funds for completion and ongoing maintenance cancome from this dedicated funding which is paid for by visitors to Oahu
Finishing the rail will enable thousands of homes to be built along the rail corridor Withappropriate affordability restrictions and public support these homes can address the severeshortage of affordable housing here on Oahu A recent 2020 study prepared by PBR Hawaii forthe Hawaii Office of Planning estimates the addition of 50900 residential units around the EastKapolei Stadium and lwilei TOD areas alone1rsquo Although these homes will be built in phasesover the next 40 years it is clear that development around rail can substantially contribute to oursupply of affordable housing According to the 2019 Hawaii Housing Planning Study Oahu willneed an additional 22168 residential units by 2025 with half of the need for households withcombined incomes of $75000 or less
Rail is needed to alleviate traffic and provide walkable neighborhoodsAs Oahu plans for the future we should be focused on housing constructed in walkable urbanneighborhoods with easy access to amenities parks and transit To support the smartaffordable and sustainable growth that is needed we should be building around rail-but first wemust complete the rail Access to rail offers an alternative to driving is likely to reduce traffic for
1 July 2020 State Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning and Implementation Project for theisland of Dahu by PBR Hawaii for the Hawaii State Office of Planning Attachment C
communities along the Leeward Coast and wHI create a more equitable way to access theurban core of Honolulu
We strongly urge the council to pass Bill 40 and to continue to work towards creating acomprehensive affordable housing strategy for the residents of Oahu Completing the rail is vitalto enable housing construction but it will take further efforts to ensure that a majority of housingis reserved for local residents and stays affordable over time
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify
Kenna Stormogipsonkennahibudgetorg
October 5 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer And Council Members
Honolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accomodation Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members
I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transient accommodations tax forthe City and County of Honolulu In addition I respectfully request a portion of this generatedtax to be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project We all realize the pastchallenges of the rail project but now have a great opportunity to position HART for a successfulcompletion of the Rail system
With the new leadership at HART I am more confident than ever that we have the managementindustry tmst transparency technical expertise and action plan required to move this projectahead This dedicated funding source which will be shouldered by our tourist will allowconstruction to continue toward a successful completion for ALL of us This will also spurTransit Oriented Deveiopment around the system to help create housing and businessopportunities in our communities
Thank you for this opportunity to submit my support for Bill 40 and to generate an additionalrevenue source for HART
Respectfully
Dexter Kubota PEVice President
dkubota bowersandkubotacom
a a aareg
aqJrsquoJ1001 Bishop Street I Suite 625 I Honolulu HI 96213-28301-866-295-7282 I Fax 808-536-2882
bull aarporghi I aarphiaarporg I twittercomAARPHawaiI
H auva i I
Honolulu City CouncilOctober 6 2021 1000 am
TO The Honorable Tommy Waters ChairpersonRE Bill 40mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the Committee
My name is Kealirsquoi Lopez and I am the State Director for AARP Hawairsquoi AARP is a membershiporganization of people age fifty and over with nearly 145000 members in HawaiiAARP Hawaii supports Bill 40 which seeks to establish transient accommodations tax (TAT) forthe City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and facilitate thereceipt and deposit of the revenue derived
We respectfully wish to add our comment and support for a dedicated percentage of the TATthat will support the mass transit project Having an ongoing dedicated source of funding willhelp pay for mass transit project the ongoing operations and maintenance of the system afterconstruction has been completed and without the need to raise property taxes
AARP has been a strong proponent of an age-friendly community that includesbull Multi-modal forms of transportation for people of all ages Rail affords another
transportation option for Honolulu especially for seniors and those who cannot affordthe high costs of owning a vehicle
bull Transit Orient Developments (TaD) with affordable housings built within walking andbiking distance of major rail stations
Bill 40 provides an opportunity for the City to modernize and complete our transportationinfrastructure Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will help restore confidencewith the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) and could potentially unlock additionalfederal funding opportunities and other public sources to finish the project Thank you for theopportunity to testify in support of Bill 40
Sincerely
lsquos--rsquo hr
Kealirsquoi Lopez State Director
klopezaarporg
BIABUILDING INDUSTRY
A S SOC AT ION ana
TESTIMONY TO THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCILHONOLULU HALE
COUNCIL CHAMBERSOctober 6 2021
900 AM
Honorable Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Council
RE Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
My name is Daryl Takamiya Chair of the Government Relations Committee of the BuildingIndustry Association of Hawaii (BIA-HawaN) Chartered in 1955 the Building IndustryAssociation of Hawaii is a professional trade organization affiliated with the National Associationof Home Builders representing the building industry and its associates BIA-HawaH takes aleadership role in unifying and promoting the interests of the industry to enhance the quality oflife for the people of Hawah Our members build the communities we all call home
BIA-Hawaii is in support of Bill 40 which would establish a transient accommodations tax for theCity and County of Honolulu specifically the portion of the bill that would provide for a depositinto the established transit fund
BIA-Hawaii continues to support the transit system on the island of Oahu because it willincrease the availability of housing as transit-oriented development communities are built Thelack of affordable housing and other quality of life issues continue to plague our communitiesImproving transportation will only help to alleviate these issues and without a completed railproject affordable housing goals will not be met Bill 40 will be an important component toensure that the transit system is brought to successful completion
We appreciate the opportunity to express our views on Sill 40
Stefanie Y Sakamotostefsakamotoconsultingcom
tamp 006-629-7501 94-487 Akoki St Ste 213 wwwbiahawakorg
fax 808-629-7701 Waipahu HI 9679 infobiahawaiiorg
From CLK Council Into
Sent Tuesday October 5 2021 657 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Stanford Masui
Phone
Email standamanniasuigmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-202 1
CouncilPHBudgetCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40
YOLIE positionOppose
on the matter
Representing Organization
Organization RAILSOS (Study Other Solutions)
Chairman Waters and members of the councilOur organization opposes this bill as written1 It assumes that a portion of the TAT will be set aside for a transit fund for the rail Thisassumption should not he made without a vigorous discussion as whether funds should hesiphoned off for a project that is no longer financially viable To put it bluntly why ldquothrowgood money after badrdquo
2 The rail is at an inflection point as to whether it should he constructed beyond its currentendpoint at Middle St or further intensive study as to viable alternatives rather thancontinuing on to Ala Moana at a prohibitive cost Past VIA administrators have urged the cityto consider modification of its plans a clear signal that additional funding may not beforthcoming
Wutten3 Transit Oriented Development is a myth Most of the buildina of condos in the KapiolaniTestimony -corridor were planned without any consideration of the rail route This is amply demonstratedby the fact that while HART struggles to come up with a funding plan and completion to AlaMoana is questionable developers are proceeding to build The numbers and actual cost ofaffordable housing in these condos are still too expensive for most people to afford Only onemajor project currently is in Ewa and that was planned years before the rail was developed
4 There are urgent issues that require immediate and priority funding homelessness and themental health system police fire and emergency services funding road and highwayimprovement and cleanup and improvement of tourist recreational areas such as parks andbeaches
5 Rather than triggering economic growth the public will be saddled with enormous debt bythe borrowed funding and operational expense estimated variously at present at $120- $150
million per year Electricity costs will cause operational expense to double This project couldbankrupt the city
6 HART should develop a funding or recovery plan before it comes to the council for aportion of TAT revenues
7 The final Environmental Impact Statement indicates only a minimal effect in alleviatingtraffic congestion which is the major argument in favor of funding the rail- The motoringpublic will not see any improvement in driving times and the studies were made years agoand are no longer reliable
The Council is urged to delete any provision that funds the rail in favor of funding otherurgent prioritiesThank you for your consideration
Te stin]on yAttachment
Accept TermsI
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 730 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Leslie M Inouye
Phone
Email Iinouyel4gmai1com
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHBuddeget
Committee
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position onOppose
the matter
Representing Self
Organization
Chairman Waters and City Council I and many others who have only recently becomeaware of Bill 40 must oppose the the use of the TAT to help fund rail It seems there are any
Writtennumber of backdoor plans to find the funds for rail despite the ongoing litany of items thateither have no clear fix andor no specific bottom line At some point you must realize thatTestimony
the rail is not a sustainable to use the popular contemporary term project and to continuepursuing this immense burden portends financial ruin for all of us Please let common senserule your decisions
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IF 19216820067
1
1 PETER A GANABANbull Business Manager
ampcretarj- Treasure
ALFONSO OlIVERPesident
JOBY NORTh IIlice President
TONI FIG(ERO4Recording Secretary
JAMES DRLrsquoMGOLD JRExecutiye Bd
ORLANDO PAESTEExecutive Board
JOSFIrsquoK jAWEsecutiw Board
ESTIIERAILA4udaor
RUSSELl NAPIIIA-4Auditor
SI lsquoIRK TRAVALINO4uJior
MAITINARAN4YDOamprgearn-dt-Arms
LIUNA Local 3681617 Palarna StreetHonolulu HI 96817
Phone (808) 841-5877Fax (808)847-7829
wiwIocaI368org
LiUNA
TESTIMONY OF THE HAWAII LABORERSrsquo UNION LOCAL 358
Honolulu City CouncilCouncil Meeting
Wednesday October 6 20211000 AM
RE Bill 40(2021) mdash RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATION TAX(TAT)
Chair Waters Vice-chair Kiarsquoaina and Council Members
The Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 and its 5000 working and retired men andwomen across the state of Hawaii stand in strong support of Bill 40(2021) whichestablishes a transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) for the City and Countyof Honolulu
The TAT funding proposed in Bill 40 would allow the City and County of Honoluluto maintain and preserve our island while mitigating the impacts of our naturalresources while also building new and existing infrastructure - including theHonolulu Rail Project This proposed measure would help generate much neededrevenue while having our island visitors help in sharing the cost
Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 respectfully requests that the council takefavorable action on this measure and support Bill 40
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony
Shingayi MasiyaGovernment Relations Director
Feel the Power
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 754 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Paul Yonamine
PhoneEmail paulyonaminecpbbank
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncil
Committee
Agenda Item Testimony and Support for Bill 40Your position
Supporton the mailer
Representing Self
Organization
Testimony and Support for Bill 40
I am Paul Yonamine Executive Chairman of Central Pacific Bank andI am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transientaccommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of thisamount I would respectfully request that a portion be set aside for thecompletion of the Honolulu rail project This new revenue source atourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both ofwhom will use and ride a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steadypace Work on utility relocation also continues Work either out to bidor ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficult section of
Written Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and aTestimony dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of a
system that wilt transform Oahu - Westside families will have theoption to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending anhourdivide in traffic Transit-oriented developments (TOD) to includeaffordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances
Rail and TOD represents the single most important economic driverfor the City and County of Honolulu and the state of Hawaii It alsopresents an invaluable opportunity for more affordable housingdevelopment for generations to come Donrsquot stop and impedeprogress of rail because of past project mismanagement We shouldmake sure the project is fully funded and that capable projectmanagers are hired positioned and empowered to complete thisproject
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support andlook forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 824 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Michael KamakaPhone
Email mkamakabowersandkubotacomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40 - Transient Accommodations TaxYour position
Supporton the matterRepresenting SelfOrganization
October 6 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer and Council MembersHonolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Sill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodation TaxDear Chair Waters and MembersPlease accept this written testimony of my support of Bill 40 toestablish a transient accommodations tax for the City and County ofHonolulu Under Sill 40
Written I believe a transient accommodations tax collects the fair and equitableTestimony amount from visitors who enjoy our City and County of Honolulu today
and in the future The tax will provide funding to mitigate impacts ofvisitors by providing money to support the restoration and maintenanceof public facilitiesAs part of the mitigation to the impacts of visitors I respectfully requesta portion of this transient accommodations tax be set aside to supportthe completion of the Honolulu rail project A rail system will helpmitigate the impacts by visitors in the Honolulu area by providing acleaner alternative of transportation thereby minimizing pollutantscaused by vehicle traffic and congestionAlthough there has been fiscal schedule and constructabilitychallenges there is a renewed hope and optimism for the completionof the rail system A renewable source of funding is the opportunity toposition HART for a successful completion of the rail system With new
1
leadership at HART I am confident HART has the people industrytrust transparency technical expertise and viable action plan neededto move this project ahead Funding through a portion of the transientaccommodation tax will provide a sustainable and dedicated fundingsource to allow construction to continueThank you for allowing me this opportunity to submit my support for Bill40Respectfully
Michael Kamaka PE Principal
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
2
reservations made on the effective date even though the bill has not been signed by the Mayor
Furthermore hotel operators will not be able to 1) disclose the new tax to guests in advance and
2) adjust booking systems and rental agreements to collect the new tax from guests after the
County TAT has been officially established In turn operators will need to pay for the County
TAT themselves for reservations on the effective date
Moreover timeshare resorts will need to update their Hawaii disclosure statements and
file with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) This is often a time-
consuming process requiring approval from the DCCA Having Bill 40 be levied upon approval
will lead to inadequate disclosure to customers Imposing the County TAT in this manner will
make it impossible for developers and operators to provide full and fair disclosure to buyers
owners and other occupants
Accordingly ARDA Hawaii respectfully requests the County TAT be levied at a
minimum not earlier than 30 days after Bill 40s approval to allow 1) appropriate notice to be
given to travel partners that the law has been signed 2) hotel operators to charge for the
County TAT that is officially passed 3) booking engines to be updated with the new County
TAT and 4) rental agreements to be modified with the new required language Further the any
additional time will provide developers and timeshare operators time to update disclosure
statements with DCCA and provide consumers with full and fair disclosure
Specifically ARDA Hawaii recommends the following amendment to Bill 40
1 Amend Section 7 to state This ordinance takes effect upon its approval The transient
accommodations tax established by this ordinance is considered levied 30 days after
approval
Mahalo for your consideration of our comments We look forward to working with the
Council on implementing a policy that will enhance the ability of developers and operators to
comply with the new existing laws and requirements that compel fair and full disclosure of the
County TAT to consumers
Respectfully Submitted
Mitchell A Imanaka
Chair
American Resort Development Association of Hawaii
HAWAII OPERATING ENGINEERSINDusTRY STABILIZATION FuND
(ccedilg) 1
lsquoheftzc cqr ltnagth ant orkrn ngctaer(a a Ut
October 5 2021
Honorable Tommy Waters Honolulu City Council ChairHonorable Esther Kiarsquoaacuteina Honolulu City Council Vice ChairHonorable Members of the Honolulu City Council
RE Bill 40(2021) Relating to the transient accommodations tax (Establishing a transient
accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and
facilitate the receipt and deposit of the revenues derived from the transient accommodations tax)
Chair Waters
My name is Pane Meatoga Ill and I am the Community Liaison representing the Hawaii OperatingEngineers Industry Stabilization Fund (HOEISF) We are a labor management fund representing 3000unionized members in heavy engineering site work and 500 general contractors specializing in heavy siteand vertical construction Our organization would like to offer our written testimony in support of Bill40(2021)
Construction of the rait guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utility relocationalso continues Currently construction work has either been bid out or is ready to start the bidingprocess and design work is ongoing for the most difficult section of Dillingham Boulevard We aregetting closer to the finish line and members of Operating Engineers Local 3 and other trade unions arehard at work making this project a reality
We believe a dedicated local revenue source that is not from real property taxes will allow for thecompleUon of a rail system that lsquoArsquoill transform Oahu for the benefit of future generations A fixedpercentage of the Cityrsquos Transient Accommodation Tax (TAT) dedicated to rail is exactly what the countyneeds now to continue this project We recommend that the Honolulu City Council consider allocatinga percentage of the Countyrsquos TAT to the Honolulu Rail Project
We appreciate the Honolulu City Council taking up this bill We look forward to Bill 40 progressingthrough the legislative process and we look forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
Sincerely
Pane Meatoga IllHawaii Operating Engineers Industry Stabilization Fund
pnceuroh pciLccrn
DUHO1IFONjasorsca4 ampuatildeder
HAWAII
October 52021
Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairMembers of the Honolulu City Council
RE Comments on Bill 40 (ldquoBill 40rdquo) Rclating to the Transient Accommodations TaxHearing date Wednesday October 6 2021 at 1000 AM
Aloha Chair Waters Vicc Chair Kiarsquoaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Mahalo for the opportunity to submit testimony on behalf of DR Horton Hawaii LLC(ldquoDR Hortonrdquo) in Support of Bill 40 relating to the transient accommodations tax DR Hortonis one of Hawaiirsquos largest home builders and has been providing affordable housing and first-timebuyer homes for Hawaiirsquos families throughout Oahu for nearly fifty years
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (ldquoCountyTATrdquo) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gross rental proceeds derivedfrom the furnishing of transient accommodations Every transient accommodation broker travelagency and tour packagDr that arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shallpay the County TAT Additionally Bill 40 allocates percentages of the tax revenue generated bythe County TAT into I) the general fund 2) the transit fund established under Chapter 6 Article61 and 3) a special account in the general fund specifically used to mitigate the impacts of visitorson public facilities including the restoration and maintenance of beaches and parks
Prinarily DR Horton supports an allocation of the County TAT to be dedicated tofunding the rail project We favor a fixed allocation of funding that will enable the city to finishand maintain the project in a fiscally responsible way allowing the rail project to be completedwithout raising property taxes or endangering the Countyrsquos bond rating Furthermore funding therail project will restore confidence with the FTA and potentially unlock much needed federalfunding
Additionally the completion of the rail project will directly influence the creation of asignificant inventory of much needed affordable housing Completing the rail project willincentivize transit oriented development around the downtown and Ala Moana rail stationsprojected to create an additional 11600 housing units Failing to complete the rail project will putus that much further behind the curve in reaching our collective affordable housing goals
Dahu Maui Hawaii Island Kauai
130 Merchant Street Suite 112 Honolulu Hawaii 96813 8085215661
wwwdrhortoncomhawaii
Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairOctober 52021Page 2
Finally completion of the rail has the added benefit of decreasing our dependance onimported oil and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging multi-modal forms oftransportation that are both walkable and bikeable consistent with the Cityrsquos long term planninggoals Further the completion of the rail project will create a much needed connection betweenmaster planned communities in Ewa and downtown Honolulu enhancing the quality life forfamilies living in West Oahu
In summary DR Horton supports Bill 40 and the proposed allocations Mahalo for yourtime and consideration It is very much appreciated Should you have any questions please donot hesitate to contact me at 808-782-4109 or ttonakicdrhortoneom
Sincerely
9KTracy TonakiSenior Vice President
Evan Quoeoueirnanaka-asatoeom
1065 Ahua StreetHonolulu H 96819Phone 808-833-1681 FAX 839-4167Email jfbullfccedileaIigcaQia (iINERAI (lsquo()NrIAuIORS ASSOCIATION OF I IAWAIIWebsite wwwgcahawoiiore
Quality People Quality Projects
October 162021
Councilman Tommy Waters ChairMembers of the City CouncilCity amp County of the Honolulu CityHonolulu HI 96813
Re Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the City Council
The General Contractors Association of Hawaii (GCA) is an organization comprised ofapproximately five hundred (500) general contractors subcontractors and construction relatedfirms The GCA was established in 1932 and is the largest construction association in the Stateof Hawaii Our mission is to elevate Hawaiirsquos construction industry and strengthen thefoundation of our community
GCA is in STRONG SUPPORT of Bill 40 which establishes a transient accommodations taxfor the City and County of Honolulu
Of this amount we respectfully request that a portion be set aside for the completion of theI lonolulu rail project This new revenue source a tourist tax comes from our visitors rather thanour residents both of whom will use and ridc a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utilityrelocation also continues A dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of asystem that will transform Oahu Westsidc families will have the option to ride the rail to workand school rather than spending an hour-4- in traffic
Further transit-oriented developments include affordable units along the route This will helpaddress our housing shortage asll600 housing units along the downtown and Ala Moana railstations will be completed as a result of the TOD planning This creates multi-modals form oftransportation that allow for walkable bikeable communities and safe streets for families
Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony in support of Bill 40
Ryan Sakuda
ryan(gcahawaiiorg
-4rsquo
a4714rdquo t014 5n
Testimony by Harry SaundersPresident Castle amp Cooke Hawairsquoi
October 5 2021
City and County of Honolulu City CouncilRegarding
BILL 40 (2021)RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS TAX
SUPPORT WITH COMMENTS
Chair amp Presiding Officer Tommy Waters Vice Chair Esther Kiarsquoaumlina and Members of the City Council
I am Harry Saunders Presidcnt of Castle amp Cookc Hawairsquoi Thank you for the opportunity to submittcstimony regarding Bill 40 (2021)
Castic amp Cooke Hawairsquoi supports the intent of Bill 40 that will dedicate a portion of the transientaccommodations tax into a transportation fund It is critical that this bill have a fixed percentage of thetransient accommodations tax dedicated towards the funding of the rail so the city can finish the projectin a fiscally responsible way without raising property taxes and endangering our cityrsquos bond rating
Allocating a fixed percentage of the transient accommodations tax to fund the rail transit project will havelong temi benefits to visitors and kamarsquoaina alike
Rail will provide multi-modal opportunities giving residents transportation options It will help reducethe dependence on vehicles and its requisite imported oils with overall benefits to the health of ourenvironment Rail will reduce commute times for residents living in outlying communities The timethey gain back will enhance their quality of life
It also provides housing and redevelopment opportunities to communities With this redevelopmentcomes affordable housing Affordable housing planned in Transit Oriented Development for thedowntown and Ala Moana rail stations is a combined 11600 housing units
Allocating a fixed percentage of the TAT funding to Rail will pay for the ongoing operations andmaintenance of the system after construction has been completed again without the need to raiseproperty taxes
Mahalo for your consideration of my testimony Should you have any questions please feel free tocontact us
Harry Saunders Garret MatsunamiPresident Vice President Residential OperationsCastle amp Cooke Hawairsquoi Castle amp Cooke Hawairsquoifsakai(i2eastlecookeeom gmatsunamicastlecookecomPhone 548-4884 Phone 626-3625llcQmacastIecookecom
680 Iwilei Road Box 510 Honolulu Hawaii 96817Phone (808) 548-4811 Fax (808) 548-6690
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 110 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mufi HannemannPhoneEmail mhannemanncopyhawaBlodgingorgMeeting Date 10-06-2021CouncilPH
CouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40Your position
Commenton the matter
Representing Organization
Organization Hawairsquoi Lodging amp Tourism AssociationTestimony ofMufi HannemannPresident amp CEOHawaii Lodging amp Tourism Association
Honolulu City CouncilBill 40 (2021)October 6 2021
Chair Waters and members of the Honolulu City Council mahalo forthe opportunity to submit testimony on behalf of the Hawaii Lodging ampTourism Association the statersquos largest private sector visitor industryorganization
WrittenTestimony The Hawaii Lodging amp Tourism Associationmdashnearly 700 members
strong representing more than 50000 hotel rooms and nearly 40000lodging workersmdashstrongly opposed the passage of House Bill 862which among myriad other issues stripped the State TransientAccommodations Tax (TAT) allocation to the counties and allowed forup to an additional three percent surcharge to be levied on lodgingproperties The surcharge proposed by this measure represents a 29increase to the TAT that comes at a highly inopportune time for anindustry that has been drastically affected by the pandemic and travelrestrictions However with the veto override by the Legislature andthe ultimate passage of HB 862 we recognize the financial position inwhich the City amp County of Honolulu finds itself and the need todeliberate on the introduced bill As the latest version of Bill 40 (2020)does not stipulate the percentages by which the collected tax monies
will be divided between the general fund transit fund and theunnamed visitor impact fund we would like to provide comments onthe proposed measure at this time
As the vast majority of monies raised by the TATmdashand the new threepercent surchargemdashwill undoubtedly come from the pockets of visitorsit is our position that the lionrsquos share of these funds should be utilizedto address tourism related needs and the impacts created by travelersto Hawaii The opportunities in this regard are seemingly endless andcould include more routine county tasks such as road refinishing andupdates to our infrastructure but should also be used on projects moredirectly associated with tourism impacts like trail management beachand park maintenance additional support for first responders and theprovision of adequate public safety staffing at beaches and other Cityinstallations
We are all aware of the discussions currently happening in thecommunity that focus upon tourism its impact on our naturalresources and communities and the significant role it plays in oureconomy Anti-tourism sentiments are at an all-time high and both thetourism industry and the community are working to strike a finebalance that suits both residents and visitors to our home Relegatinga significant portion of funds generated by the surcharge to the tourismimpact fund would ensure that the City is appropriately addressing thevarious issues surrounding tourism with visitor dollars and would maketransparency in the process that much more likely The HawaiiTourism Authorityrsquos Destination Management Action Plan processmdashwhich aims to better manage tourism for our entire statemdashhas beencompleted for Oahu and this would be an ideal jumping off point tobegin discussion of how surcharge funds are utilized for some of theirpriorities Finally we would also like to better understand who willoversee the special tourism impact fund and ensure that said funds willbe used for their intended purposes through a transparent process
We look forward to a robust public discourse on this measure andthank you for the opportunity to provide these comments
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
Mobi[e 8084288717
c EmaH indascFarzschtzcoIlabortvecoin- lsquo- 5chatzcohaboratvecomcollaborative
October 5 2021
Via email to Honolulu City Council
SUBJECT Bill 40(2021) mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations TaxCouncil Meeting October 6 2021 1000am
Dear Council Members
I am submitting written testimony to offer comments to Bill 40
This bill must have a fixed percentage of the TAT dedicated to funding the rail to avoidraising property taxes or jeopardizing our bond rating
Irsquove been a housing advocate and developer for the last 20 years and have supported effortsto create multi-modal neighborhoods in the primary urban core If a fixed percentage of atleast half of the TAT to the county goes to rail construction operations and rail focusedactivities such as TOD it will help create ripe conditions for housing redevelopment andwalkable communities Rail is also a catalyst to begin the efforts to bring back sociallyequitable planning efforts to disadvantaged neighborhoods on Dahu Without a dedicatedsource of funding we lose so much more in terms of equitable opportunities for Oahursquoscommunity and future generations
Thank you again for the opportunity to submit this testimony If there are any questions or ifadditional information is needed please do not hesitate to contact me at (808)428-8717
Warmest Regards
Linda Schatz
Principal
HAWAII REGIONAL COUNCIL OF
CARPENTERS
October 6 2021
City Council
City amp County of Honolulu
Councilmember Tommy Waters Chair
Councilmember Esther Kiarsquoatildeina Vice Chair
Statement of the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters mdash SUPPORT for Bill 40 (2021)mdashRelating to thetransient accommodations tax
Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiarsquoatildeina and Members of the Council
The Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters would like to offer their support for Bill 40 relating to thetransient accommodations tax
Specifically this bill must contain a fixed percentage of the TAT that is dedicated to funding for rail sothe city can finish the project in fiscally responsible way without the need to raise property taxes
Dedicating a percentage of the TAT will also pay for the ongoing operations and maintenance of thesystem after construction has been completed again without the need to raise property taxes
Modernizing our infrastructure is important piece of the Biden administrationrsquos plan to ldquoBuild BackBetterrdquo Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will restore confidence with the FTA andcould potentially unlock additional federal funding opportunities
The downtown and Ala Moana rail stations will have a combined 11600 housing units as a result of theTransit Orientated Development planning and without a completed Rail project TOD and our affordablehousing goals cannot be met
Mass transit will decrease our dependance on imported oil reduce our greenhouse gas emissions andallow for the creation of walkable bikeable communities and safe streets for families
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has studied the impact of public transportation systems and rail isassociated with reductions in several health risk factors such as motor vehicle crashes air pollution andphysical inactivity
STATE HEADQUARTERS amp BUSINESS OFFICESOAIIU 1311 Hoiighiailirig SEreetHonnlulu Hawaii 96S17rsquo2711 bull Ph (808) 847-5761 Fax (808) 440-9188
111W OFFICE 525 Kilauca Avenue Room 205 Fur Hawaii 967203050 bull Ph (808) 935-8575 lOx (808) 935-8576KONA OFFICE 75-126 Lunapule RoadKajlua-Kona Hawaii 96740-2106 bull Ph (808) 329-7355 Fax (808) 326-9376
MAUI OFFICE 330 Hookahi StreetWailuku Maui 96793-1449 bull Ph (808) 2426891 Fax (808) 242-5961IA[JAI OFFICE KuIjo Medical CEr Bldg3-3295 Kuhio HwySuiteZOiLihue Kauai 96766-1040 Ph(SO8) 245-8511 Fax (808) 245-8911
A completed rail system will afford greater transportation options for Honolulu especially for seniors
and those who cannot afford the high costs of owning a vehicle
And it will enhance the quality life for leeward families who spend hours in traffic each day
Mahalo for your consideration
Nathaniel KinneynRinncyhrcc-bwflccm
MOVEOAHUFORWARD
October 6 2021
Chairman Tommy Waters and members of the Honolulu City Council
Aloha my name is Jennifer Sabas and I serve as the Executive Director of Move Oahu Forward a nonprofit organization supporting the Honolulu rail project as an integral part of a robust publictransportation system on Oahu I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish atransient accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of this amount I wouldrespectfully request that a portion be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project Thisnew revenue source a tourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both of whosewill ride the finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utility relocationalso continues Work either out to bid or ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficultsection of Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and a dedicated localrevenue source will allow for the completion of a system that will transform Oahu - Westside familieswill have the option to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending an hour+ in trafficTransit-oriented developments to include affordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances for many Oahu families
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support and look forward to a rigorousdebate and discussion in the months ahead
Aloha
Jennifer SabasExecutive DirectorMove Oahu ForwardP0 Box 1329Honolulu HI 96807
jennifermoveoahuforwardorg
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 353 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Nelisa Asato
Phone
Email nasatomatsoncomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee CouncilAgenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter SupportRepresenting Organization
Organization Matson Navigation Company IncWritten Testimony
Testimony AttachmentAccept Terms and Agreement 1
IP 19216820067
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 419 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Denise Boisvert
Phone
Email infofordeniseyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
YES I FULLY SUPPORT Bill 40 proposed by ChairWaters
Written Testimony All the requirements in the proposed bill are EXCELLENT
Mahalo to all for your kind consideration to more this billforward
Testimony Attachment
AcceptTerms and1
Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 418 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mary Kate Duggan
Phone
Email marykateelizabethduggangmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Resolution 21-234
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
Written Testimony
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and Agreement 1
lP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 423 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Kim Jorgensen
Phone
Email hawaiicondoyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on thematter
Support
Representing SelfOrganization
Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony on Bill 40 IWritten Testimonyfully SUPPORT it
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and1Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
HAwAII STATE AFL-CIO888 Mililani Street Suite 501 bull Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Randy Perreira Telephone (808)597-1441President Fax (808) 593-2149
City CouncilCity and County of Honolulu
Testimony byHawairsquoi State AFL-CIO
October 6 2021
Testimony in SUPPORT of Bill 40 Relating tothe Transient Accommodations Tax
The Hawairsquoi State AFL-CIO is a state federation of 74 affiliate local unions and councils with over68000 members across both public and private sectors We appreciate the opportunity to testify insupport of Bill 40
Of all counties in the state swift measures must be taken to mitigate the negative impact overtourismhas on Honolulursquos infrastructure Traffic congestion in Honolulu is exacerbated by the visitorindustry Establishing a three percent transient accommodations tax is key to generating the revenueneeded to invest in Orsquoahursquos public transportation system The Honolulu Rail Transit Project is apublic good that will benefit 0rsquo ahu workers residents and visitors alike by providing a publictransportation option that complements The Bus and further relieves traffic congestion where it ismost needed
We appreciate your consideration of our testimony in support of Bill 40 and strongly urge you to passthis bill
ectfullysnitted
Randy PerreiraPresident
Dion DizonQfbwtcio org
HAWAII APPLESEEDCENTER FOR LAW amp ECONOMIC JUSTTCE
Testimony of the Hawairsquoi Appleseed Center for Law and Economic JusticeSUPPORT mdash Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
City and County of HonoluluWednesday October 6 2021 10AM
Aloha Chair Waters and Councilmembers
We at Hawaii Appleseed strongly support Bill 40 and efforts to use TAT funds to complete therail project as it will dramatically increase the housing stock in TOD areas and create efficientand equitable access to transit To support the affordable housing that Oahu desperately needswe must finish the rail and provide the subsidies needed to ensure that housing is prioritized forlocal residents and stays affordable over the long-term
In addition we urge the council to provide that a fixed percentage of the TAT be allocatedto rail funding so the project can be completed in a fiscally responsible way with a securefunding stream Ideally all of the necessary funds for completion and ongoing maintenance cancome from this dedicated funding which is paid for by visitors to Oahu
Finishing the rail will enable thousands of homes to be built along the rail corridor Withappropriate affordability restrictions and public support these homes can address the severeshortage of affordable housing here on Oahu A recent 2020 study prepared by PBR Hawaii forthe Hawaii Office of Planning estimates the addition of 50900 residential units around the EastKapolei Stadium and lwilei TOD areas alone1rsquo Although these homes will be built in phasesover the next 40 years it is clear that development around rail can substantially contribute to oursupply of affordable housing According to the 2019 Hawaii Housing Planning Study Oahu willneed an additional 22168 residential units by 2025 with half of the need for households withcombined incomes of $75000 or less
Rail is needed to alleviate traffic and provide walkable neighborhoodsAs Oahu plans for the future we should be focused on housing constructed in walkable urbanneighborhoods with easy access to amenities parks and transit To support the smartaffordable and sustainable growth that is needed we should be building around rail-but first wemust complete the rail Access to rail offers an alternative to driving is likely to reduce traffic for
1 July 2020 State Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning and Implementation Project for theisland of Dahu by PBR Hawaii for the Hawaii State Office of Planning Attachment C
communities along the Leeward Coast and wHI create a more equitable way to access theurban core of Honolulu
We strongly urge the council to pass Bill 40 and to continue to work towards creating acomprehensive affordable housing strategy for the residents of Oahu Completing the rail is vitalto enable housing construction but it will take further efforts to ensure that a majority of housingis reserved for local residents and stays affordable over time
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify
Kenna Stormogipsonkennahibudgetorg
October 5 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer And Council Members
Honolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accomodation Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members
I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transient accommodations tax forthe City and County of Honolulu In addition I respectfully request a portion of this generatedtax to be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project We all realize the pastchallenges of the rail project but now have a great opportunity to position HART for a successfulcompletion of the Rail system
With the new leadership at HART I am more confident than ever that we have the managementindustry tmst transparency technical expertise and action plan required to move this projectahead This dedicated funding source which will be shouldered by our tourist will allowconstruction to continue toward a successful completion for ALL of us This will also spurTransit Oriented Deveiopment around the system to help create housing and businessopportunities in our communities
Thank you for this opportunity to submit my support for Bill 40 and to generate an additionalrevenue source for HART
Respectfully
Dexter Kubota PEVice President
dkubota bowersandkubotacom
a a aareg
aqJrsquoJ1001 Bishop Street I Suite 625 I Honolulu HI 96213-28301-866-295-7282 I Fax 808-536-2882
bull aarporghi I aarphiaarporg I twittercomAARPHawaiI
H auva i I
Honolulu City CouncilOctober 6 2021 1000 am
TO The Honorable Tommy Waters ChairpersonRE Bill 40mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the Committee
My name is Kealirsquoi Lopez and I am the State Director for AARP Hawairsquoi AARP is a membershiporganization of people age fifty and over with nearly 145000 members in HawaiiAARP Hawaii supports Bill 40 which seeks to establish transient accommodations tax (TAT) forthe City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and facilitate thereceipt and deposit of the revenue derived
We respectfully wish to add our comment and support for a dedicated percentage of the TATthat will support the mass transit project Having an ongoing dedicated source of funding willhelp pay for mass transit project the ongoing operations and maintenance of the system afterconstruction has been completed and without the need to raise property taxes
AARP has been a strong proponent of an age-friendly community that includesbull Multi-modal forms of transportation for people of all ages Rail affords another
transportation option for Honolulu especially for seniors and those who cannot affordthe high costs of owning a vehicle
bull Transit Orient Developments (TaD) with affordable housings built within walking andbiking distance of major rail stations
Bill 40 provides an opportunity for the City to modernize and complete our transportationinfrastructure Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will help restore confidencewith the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) and could potentially unlock additionalfederal funding opportunities and other public sources to finish the project Thank you for theopportunity to testify in support of Bill 40
Sincerely
lsquos--rsquo hr
Kealirsquoi Lopez State Director
klopezaarporg
BIABUILDING INDUSTRY
A S SOC AT ION ana
TESTIMONY TO THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCILHONOLULU HALE
COUNCIL CHAMBERSOctober 6 2021
900 AM
Honorable Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Council
RE Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
My name is Daryl Takamiya Chair of the Government Relations Committee of the BuildingIndustry Association of Hawaii (BIA-HawaN) Chartered in 1955 the Building IndustryAssociation of Hawaii is a professional trade organization affiliated with the National Associationof Home Builders representing the building industry and its associates BIA-HawaH takes aleadership role in unifying and promoting the interests of the industry to enhance the quality oflife for the people of Hawah Our members build the communities we all call home
BIA-Hawaii is in support of Bill 40 which would establish a transient accommodations tax for theCity and County of Honolulu specifically the portion of the bill that would provide for a depositinto the established transit fund
BIA-Hawaii continues to support the transit system on the island of Oahu because it willincrease the availability of housing as transit-oriented development communities are built Thelack of affordable housing and other quality of life issues continue to plague our communitiesImproving transportation will only help to alleviate these issues and without a completed railproject affordable housing goals will not be met Bill 40 will be an important component toensure that the transit system is brought to successful completion
We appreciate the opportunity to express our views on Sill 40
Stefanie Y Sakamotostefsakamotoconsultingcom
tamp 006-629-7501 94-487 Akoki St Ste 213 wwwbiahawakorg
fax 808-629-7701 Waipahu HI 9679 infobiahawaiiorg
From CLK Council Into
Sent Tuesday October 5 2021 657 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Stanford Masui
Phone
Email standamanniasuigmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-202 1
CouncilPHBudgetCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40
YOLIE positionOppose
on the matter
Representing Organization
Organization RAILSOS (Study Other Solutions)
Chairman Waters and members of the councilOur organization opposes this bill as written1 It assumes that a portion of the TAT will be set aside for a transit fund for the rail Thisassumption should not he made without a vigorous discussion as whether funds should hesiphoned off for a project that is no longer financially viable To put it bluntly why ldquothrowgood money after badrdquo
2 The rail is at an inflection point as to whether it should he constructed beyond its currentendpoint at Middle St or further intensive study as to viable alternatives rather thancontinuing on to Ala Moana at a prohibitive cost Past VIA administrators have urged the cityto consider modification of its plans a clear signal that additional funding may not beforthcoming
Wutten3 Transit Oriented Development is a myth Most of the buildina of condos in the KapiolaniTestimony -corridor were planned without any consideration of the rail route This is amply demonstratedby the fact that while HART struggles to come up with a funding plan and completion to AlaMoana is questionable developers are proceeding to build The numbers and actual cost ofaffordable housing in these condos are still too expensive for most people to afford Only onemajor project currently is in Ewa and that was planned years before the rail was developed
4 There are urgent issues that require immediate and priority funding homelessness and themental health system police fire and emergency services funding road and highwayimprovement and cleanup and improvement of tourist recreational areas such as parks andbeaches
5 Rather than triggering economic growth the public will be saddled with enormous debt bythe borrowed funding and operational expense estimated variously at present at $120- $150
million per year Electricity costs will cause operational expense to double This project couldbankrupt the city
6 HART should develop a funding or recovery plan before it comes to the council for aportion of TAT revenues
7 The final Environmental Impact Statement indicates only a minimal effect in alleviatingtraffic congestion which is the major argument in favor of funding the rail- The motoringpublic will not see any improvement in driving times and the studies were made years agoand are no longer reliable
The Council is urged to delete any provision that funds the rail in favor of funding otherurgent prioritiesThank you for your consideration
Te stin]on yAttachment
Accept TermsI
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 730 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Leslie M Inouye
Phone
Email Iinouyel4gmai1com
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHBuddeget
Committee
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position onOppose
the matter
Representing Self
Organization
Chairman Waters and City Council I and many others who have only recently becomeaware of Bill 40 must oppose the the use of the TAT to help fund rail It seems there are any
Writtennumber of backdoor plans to find the funds for rail despite the ongoing litany of items thateither have no clear fix andor no specific bottom line At some point you must realize thatTestimony
the rail is not a sustainable to use the popular contemporary term project and to continuepursuing this immense burden portends financial ruin for all of us Please let common senserule your decisions
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IF 19216820067
1
1 PETER A GANABANbull Business Manager
ampcretarj- Treasure
ALFONSO OlIVERPesident
JOBY NORTh IIlice President
TONI FIG(ERO4Recording Secretary
JAMES DRLrsquoMGOLD JRExecutiye Bd
ORLANDO PAESTEExecutive Board
JOSFIrsquoK jAWEsecutiw Board
ESTIIERAILA4udaor
RUSSELl NAPIIIA-4Auditor
SI lsquoIRK TRAVALINO4uJior
MAITINARAN4YDOamprgearn-dt-Arms
LIUNA Local 3681617 Palarna StreetHonolulu HI 96817
Phone (808) 841-5877Fax (808)847-7829
wiwIocaI368org
LiUNA
TESTIMONY OF THE HAWAII LABORERSrsquo UNION LOCAL 358
Honolulu City CouncilCouncil Meeting
Wednesday October 6 20211000 AM
RE Bill 40(2021) mdash RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATION TAX(TAT)
Chair Waters Vice-chair Kiarsquoaina and Council Members
The Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 and its 5000 working and retired men andwomen across the state of Hawaii stand in strong support of Bill 40(2021) whichestablishes a transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) for the City and Countyof Honolulu
The TAT funding proposed in Bill 40 would allow the City and County of Honoluluto maintain and preserve our island while mitigating the impacts of our naturalresources while also building new and existing infrastructure - including theHonolulu Rail Project This proposed measure would help generate much neededrevenue while having our island visitors help in sharing the cost
Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 respectfully requests that the council takefavorable action on this measure and support Bill 40
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony
Shingayi MasiyaGovernment Relations Director
Feel the Power
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 754 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Paul Yonamine
PhoneEmail paulyonaminecpbbank
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncil
Committee
Agenda Item Testimony and Support for Bill 40Your position
Supporton the mailer
Representing Self
Organization
Testimony and Support for Bill 40
I am Paul Yonamine Executive Chairman of Central Pacific Bank andI am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transientaccommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of thisamount I would respectfully request that a portion be set aside for thecompletion of the Honolulu rail project This new revenue source atourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both ofwhom will use and ride a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steadypace Work on utility relocation also continues Work either out to bidor ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficult section of
Written Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and aTestimony dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of a
system that wilt transform Oahu - Westside families will have theoption to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending anhourdivide in traffic Transit-oriented developments (TOD) to includeaffordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances
Rail and TOD represents the single most important economic driverfor the City and County of Honolulu and the state of Hawaii It alsopresents an invaluable opportunity for more affordable housingdevelopment for generations to come Donrsquot stop and impedeprogress of rail because of past project mismanagement We shouldmake sure the project is fully funded and that capable projectmanagers are hired positioned and empowered to complete thisproject
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support andlook forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 824 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Michael KamakaPhone
Email mkamakabowersandkubotacomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40 - Transient Accommodations TaxYour position
Supporton the matterRepresenting SelfOrganization
October 6 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer and Council MembersHonolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Sill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodation TaxDear Chair Waters and MembersPlease accept this written testimony of my support of Bill 40 toestablish a transient accommodations tax for the City and County ofHonolulu Under Sill 40
Written I believe a transient accommodations tax collects the fair and equitableTestimony amount from visitors who enjoy our City and County of Honolulu today
and in the future The tax will provide funding to mitigate impacts ofvisitors by providing money to support the restoration and maintenanceof public facilitiesAs part of the mitigation to the impacts of visitors I respectfully requesta portion of this transient accommodations tax be set aside to supportthe completion of the Honolulu rail project A rail system will helpmitigate the impacts by visitors in the Honolulu area by providing acleaner alternative of transportation thereby minimizing pollutantscaused by vehicle traffic and congestionAlthough there has been fiscal schedule and constructabilitychallenges there is a renewed hope and optimism for the completionof the rail system A renewable source of funding is the opportunity toposition HART for a successful completion of the rail system With new
1
leadership at HART I am confident HART has the people industrytrust transparency technical expertise and viable action plan neededto move this project ahead Funding through a portion of the transientaccommodation tax will provide a sustainable and dedicated fundingsource to allow construction to continueThank you for allowing me this opportunity to submit my support for Bill40Respectfully
Michael Kamaka PE Principal
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
HAWAII OPERATING ENGINEERSINDusTRY STABILIZATION FuND
(ccedilg) 1
lsquoheftzc cqr ltnagth ant orkrn ngctaer(a a Ut
October 5 2021
Honorable Tommy Waters Honolulu City Council ChairHonorable Esther Kiarsquoaacuteina Honolulu City Council Vice ChairHonorable Members of the Honolulu City Council
RE Bill 40(2021) Relating to the transient accommodations tax (Establishing a transient
accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and
facilitate the receipt and deposit of the revenues derived from the transient accommodations tax)
Chair Waters
My name is Pane Meatoga Ill and I am the Community Liaison representing the Hawaii OperatingEngineers Industry Stabilization Fund (HOEISF) We are a labor management fund representing 3000unionized members in heavy engineering site work and 500 general contractors specializing in heavy siteand vertical construction Our organization would like to offer our written testimony in support of Bill40(2021)
Construction of the rait guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utility relocationalso continues Currently construction work has either been bid out or is ready to start the bidingprocess and design work is ongoing for the most difficult section of Dillingham Boulevard We aregetting closer to the finish line and members of Operating Engineers Local 3 and other trade unions arehard at work making this project a reality
We believe a dedicated local revenue source that is not from real property taxes will allow for thecompleUon of a rail system that lsquoArsquoill transform Oahu for the benefit of future generations A fixedpercentage of the Cityrsquos Transient Accommodation Tax (TAT) dedicated to rail is exactly what the countyneeds now to continue this project We recommend that the Honolulu City Council consider allocatinga percentage of the Countyrsquos TAT to the Honolulu Rail Project
We appreciate the Honolulu City Council taking up this bill We look forward to Bill 40 progressingthrough the legislative process and we look forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
Sincerely
Pane Meatoga IllHawaii Operating Engineers Industry Stabilization Fund
pnceuroh pciLccrn
DUHO1IFONjasorsca4 ampuatildeder
HAWAII
October 52021
Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairMembers of the Honolulu City Council
RE Comments on Bill 40 (ldquoBill 40rdquo) Rclating to the Transient Accommodations TaxHearing date Wednesday October 6 2021 at 1000 AM
Aloha Chair Waters Vicc Chair Kiarsquoaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Mahalo for the opportunity to submit testimony on behalf of DR Horton Hawaii LLC(ldquoDR Hortonrdquo) in Support of Bill 40 relating to the transient accommodations tax DR Hortonis one of Hawaiirsquos largest home builders and has been providing affordable housing and first-timebuyer homes for Hawaiirsquos families throughout Oahu for nearly fifty years
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (ldquoCountyTATrdquo) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gross rental proceeds derivedfrom the furnishing of transient accommodations Every transient accommodation broker travelagency and tour packagDr that arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shallpay the County TAT Additionally Bill 40 allocates percentages of the tax revenue generated bythe County TAT into I) the general fund 2) the transit fund established under Chapter 6 Article61 and 3) a special account in the general fund specifically used to mitigate the impacts of visitorson public facilities including the restoration and maintenance of beaches and parks
Prinarily DR Horton supports an allocation of the County TAT to be dedicated tofunding the rail project We favor a fixed allocation of funding that will enable the city to finishand maintain the project in a fiscally responsible way allowing the rail project to be completedwithout raising property taxes or endangering the Countyrsquos bond rating Furthermore funding therail project will restore confidence with the FTA and potentially unlock much needed federalfunding
Additionally the completion of the rail project will directly influence the creation of asignificant inventory of much needed affordable housing Completing the rail project willincentivize transit oriented development around the downtown and Ala Moana rail stationsprojected to create an additional 11600 housing units Failing to complete the rail project will putus that much further behind the curve in reaching our collective affordable housing goals
Dahu Maui Hawaii Island Kauai
130 Merchant Street Suite 112 Honolulu Hawaii 96813 8085215661
wwwdrhortoncomhawaii
Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairOctober 52021Page 2
Finally completion of the rail has the added benefit of decreasing our dependance onimported oil and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging multi-modal forms oftransportation that are both walkable and bikeable consistent with the Cityrsquos long term planninggoals Further the completion of the rail project will create a much needed connection betweenmaster planned communities in Ewa and downtown Honolulu enhancing the quality life forfamilies living in West Oahu
In summary DR Horton supports Bill 40 and the proposed allocations Mahalo for yourtime and consideration It is very much appreciated Should you have any questions please donot hesitate to contact me at 808-782-4109 or ttonakicdrhortoneom
Sincerely
9KTracy TonakiSenior Vice President
Evan Quoeoueirnanaka-asatoeom
1065 Ahua StreetHonolulu H 96819Phone 808-833-1681 FAX 839-4167Email jfbullfccedileaIigcaQia (iINERAI (lsquo()NrIAuIORS ASSOCIATION OF I IAWAIIWebsite wwwgcahawoiiore
Quality People Quality Projects
October 162021
Councilman Tommy Waters ChairMembers of the City CouncilCity amp County of the Honolulu CityHonolulu HI 96813
Re Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the City Council
The General Contractors Association of Hawaii (GCA) is an organization comprised ofapproximately five hundred (500) general contractors subcontractors and construction relatedfirms The GCA was established in 1932 and is the largest construction association in the Stateof Hawaii Our mission is to elevate Hawaiirsquos construction industry and strengthen thefoundation of our community
GCA is in STRONG SUPPORT of Bill 40 which establishes a transient accommodations taxfor the City and County of Honolulu
Of this amount we respectfully request that a portion be set aside for the completion of theI lonolulu rail project This new revenue source a tourist tax comes from our visitors rather thanour residents both of whom will use and ridc a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utilityrelocation also continues A dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of asystem that will transform Oahu Westsidc families will have the option to ride the rail to workand school rather than spending an hour-4- in traffic
Further transit-oriented developments include affordable units along the route This will helpaddress our housing shortage asll600 housing units along the downtown and Ala Moana railstations will be completed as a result of the TOD planning This creates multi-modals form oftransportation that allow for walkable bikeable communities and safe streets for families
Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony in support of Bill 40
Ryan Sakuda
ryan(gcahawaiiorg
-4rsquo
a4714rdquo t014 5n
Testimony by Harry SaundersPresident Castle amp Cooke Hawairsquoi
October 5 2021
City and County of Honolulu City CouncilRegarding
BILL 40 (2021)RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS TAX
SUPPORT WITH COMMENTS
Chair amp Presiding Officer Tommy Waters Vice Chair Esther Kiarsquoaumlina and Members of the City Council
I am Harry Saunders Presidcnt of Castle amp Cookc Hawairsquoi Thank you for the opportunity to submittcstimony regarding Bill 40 (2021)
Castic amp Cooke Hawairsquoi supports the intent of Bill 40 that will dedicate a portion of the transientaccommodations tax into a transportation fund It is critical that this bill have a fixed percentage of thetransient accommodations tax dedicated towards the funding of the rail so the city can finish the projectin a fiscally responsible way without raising property taxes and endangering our cityrsquos bond rating
Allocating a fixed percentage of the transient accommodations tax to fund the rail transit project will havelong temi benefits to visitors and kamarsquoaina alike
Rail will provide multi-modal opportunities giving residents transportation options It will help reducethe dependence on vehicles and its requisite imported oils with overall benefits to the health of ourenvironment Rail will reduce commute times for residents living in outlying communities The timethey gain back will enhance their quality of life
It also provides housing and redevelopment opportunities to communities With this redevelopmentcomes affordable housing Affordable housing planned in Transit Oriented Development for thedowntown and Ala Moana rail stations is a combined 11600 housing units
Allocating a fixed percentage of the TAT funding to Rail will pay for the ongoing operations andmaintenance of the system after construction has been completed again without the need to raiseproperty taxes
Mahalo for your consideration of my testimony Should you have any questions please feel free tocontact us
Harry Saunders Garret MatsunamiPresident Vice President Residential OperationsCastle amp Cooke Hawairsquoi Castle amp Cooke Hawairsquoifsakai(i2eastlecookeeom gmatsunamicastlecookecomPhone 548-4884 Phone 626-3625llcQmacastIecookecom
680 Iwilei Road Box 510 Honolulu Hawaii 96817Phone (808) 548-4811 Fax (808) 548-6690
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 110 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mufi HannemannPhoneEmail mhannemanncopyhawaBlodgingorgMeeting Date 10-06-2021CouncilPH
CouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40Your position
Commenton the matter
Representing Organization
Organization Hawairsquoi Lodging amp Tourism AssociationTestimony ofMufi HannemannPresident amp CEOHawaii Lodging amp Tourism Association
Honolulu City CouncilBill 40 (2021)October 6 2021
Chair Waters and members of the Honolulu City Council mahalo forthe opportunity to submit testimony on behalf of the Hawaii Lodging ampTourism Association the statersquos largest private sector visitor industryorganization
WrittenTestimony The Hawaii Lodging amp Tourism Associationmdashnearly 700 members
strong representing more than 50000 hotel rooms and nearly 40000lodging workersmdashstrongly opposed the passage of House Bill 862which among myriad other issues stripped the State TransientAccommodations Tax (TAT) allocation to the counties and allowed forup to an additional three percent surcharge to be levied on lodgingproperties The surcharge proposed by this measure represents a 29increase to the TAT that comes at a highly inopportune time for anindustry that has been drastically affected by the pandemic and travelrestrictions However with the veto override by the Legislature andthe ultimate passage of HB 862 we recognize the financial position inwhich the City amp County of Honolulu finds itself and the need todeliberate on the introduced bill As the latest version of Bill 40 (2020)does not stipulate the percentages by which the collected tax monies
will be divided between the general fund transit fund and theunnamed visitor impact fund we would like to provide comments onthe proposed measure at this time
As the vast majority of monies raised by the TATmdashand the new threepercent surchargemdashwill undoubtedly come from the pockets of visitorsit is our position that the lionrsquos share of these funds should be utilizedto address tourism related needs and the impacts created by travelersto Hawaii The opportunities in this regard are seemingly endless andcould include more routine county tasks such as road refinishing andupdates to our infrastructure but should also be used on projects moredirectly associated with tourism impacts like trail management beachand park maintenance additional support for first responders and theprovision of adequate public safety staffing at beaches and other Cityinstallations
We are all aware of the discussions currently happening in thecommunity that focus upon tourism its impact on our naturalresources and communities and the significant role it plays in oureconomy Anti-tourism sentiments are at an all-time high and both thetourism industry and the community are working to strike a finebalance that suits both residents and visitors to our home Relegatinga significant portion of funds generated by the surcharge to the tourismimpact fund would ensure that the City is appropriately addressing thevarious issues surrounding tourism with visitor dollars and would maketransparency in the process that much more likely The HawaiiTourism Authorityrsquos Destination Management Action Plan processmdashwhich aims to better manage tourism for our entire statemdashhas beencompleted for Oahu and this would be an ideal jumping off point tobegin discussion of how surcharge funds are utilized for some of theirpriorities Finally we would also like to better understand who willoversee the special tourism impact fund and ensure that said funds willbe used for their intended purposes through a transparent process
We look forward to a robust public discourse on this measure andthank you for the opportunity to provide these comments
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
Mobi[e 8084288717
c EmaH indascFarzschtzcoIlabortvecoin- lsquo- 5chatzcohaboratvecomcollaborative
October 5 2021
Via email to Honolulu City Council
SUBJECT Bill 40(2021) mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations TaxCouncil Meeting October 6 2021 1000am
Dear Council Members
I am submitting written testimony to offer comments to Bill 40
This bill must have a fixed percentage of the TAT dedicated to funding the rail to avoidraising property taxes or jeopardizing our bond rating
Irsquove been a housing advocate and developer for the last 20 years and have supported effortsto create multi-modal neighborhoods in the primary urban core If a fixed percentage of atleast half of the TAT to the county goes to rail construction operations and rail focusedactivities such as TOD it will help create ripe conditions for housing redevelopment andwalkable communities Rail is also a catalyst to begin the efforts to bring back sociallyequitable planning efforts to disadvantaged neighborhoods on Dahu Without a dedicatedsource of funding we lose so much more in terms of equitable opportunities for Oahursquoscommunity and future generations
Thank you again for the opportunity to submit this testimony If there are any questions or ifadditional information is needed please do not hesitate to contact me at (808)428-8717
Warmest Regards
Linda Schatz
Principal
HAWAII REGIONAL COUNCIL OF
CARPENTERS
October 6 2021
City Council
City amp County of Honolulu
Councilmember Tommy Waters Chair
Councilmember Esther Kiarsquoatildeina Vice Chair
Statement of the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters mdash SUPPORT for Bill 40 (2021)mdashRelating to thetransient accommodations tax
Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiarsquoatildeina and Members of the Council
The Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters would like to offer their support for Bill 40 relating to thetransient accommodations tax
Specifically this bill must contain a fixed percentage of the TAT that is dedicated to funding for rail sothe city can finish the project in fiscally responsible way without the need to raise property taxes
Dedicating a percentage of the TAT will also pay for the ongoing operations and maintenance of thesystem after construction has been completed again without the need to raise property taxes
Modernizing our infrastructure is important piece of the Biden administrationrsquos plan to ldquoBuild BackBetterrdquo Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will restore confidence with the FTA andcould potentially unlock additional federal funding opportunities
The downtown and Ala Moana rail stations will have a combined 11600 housing units as a result of theTransit Orientated Development planning and without a completed Rail project TOD and our affordablehousing goals cannot be met
Mass transit will decrease our dependance on imported oil reduce our greenhouse gas emissions andallow for the creation of walkable bikeable communities and safe streets for families
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has studied the impact of public transportation systems and rail isassociated with reductions in several health risk factors such as motor vehicle crashes air pollution andphysical inactivity
STATE HEADQUARTERS amp BUSINESS OFFICESOAIIU 1311 Hoiighiailirig SEreetHonnlulu Hawaii 96S17rsquo2711 bull Ph (808) 847-5761 Fax (808) 440-9188
111W OFFICE 525 Kilauca Avenue Room 205 Fur Hawaii 967203050 bull Ph (808) 935-8575 lOx (808) 935-8576KONA OFFICE 75-126 Lunapule RoadKajlua-Kona Hawaii 96740-2106 bull Ph (808) 329-7355 Fax (808) 326-9376
MAUI OFFICE 330 Hookahi StreetWailuku Maui 96793-1449 bull Ph (808) 2426891 Fax (808) 242-5961IA[JAI OFFICE KuIjo Medical CEr Bldg3-3295 Kuhio HwySuiteZOiLihue Kauai 96766-1040 Ph(SO8) 245-8511 Fax (808) 245-8911
A completed rail system will afford greater transportation options for Honolulu especially for seniors
and those who cannot afford the high costs of owning a vehicle
And it will enhance the quality life for leeward families who spend hours in traffic each day
Mahalo for your consideration
Nathaniel KinneynRinncyhrcc-bwflccm
MOVEOAHUFORWARD
October 6 2021
Chairman Tommy Waters and members of the Honolulu City Council
Aloha my name is Jennifer Sabas and I serve as the Executive Director of Move Oahu Forward a nonprofit organization supporting the Honolulu rail project as an integral part of a robust publictransportation system on Oahu I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish atransient accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of this amount I wouldrespectfully request that a portion be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project Thisnew revenue source a tourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both of whosewill ride the finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utility relocationalso continues Work either out to bid or ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficultsection of Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and a dedicated localrevenue source will allow for the completion of a system that will transform Oahu - Westside familieswill have the option to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending an hour+ in trafficTransit-oriented developments to include affordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances for many Oahu families
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support and look forward to a rigorousdebate and discussion in the months ahead
Aloha
Jennifer SabasExecutive DirectorMove Oahu ForwardP0 Box 1329Honolulu HI 96807
jennifermoveoahuforwardorg
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 353 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Nelisa Asato
Phone
Email nasatomatsoncomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee CouncilAgenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter SupportRepresenting Organization
Organization Matson Navigation Company IncWritten Testimony
Testimony AttachmentAccept Terms and Agreement 1
IP 19216820067
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 419 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Denise Boisvert
Phone
Email infofordeniseyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
YES I FULLY SUPPORT Bill 40 proposed by ChairWaters
Written Testimony All the requirements in the proposed bill are EXCELLENT
Mahalo to all for your kind consideration to more this billforward
Testimony Attachment
AcceptTerms and1
Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 418 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mary Kate Duggan
Phone
Email marykateelizabethduggangmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Resolution 21-234
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
Written Testimony
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and Agreement 1
lP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 423 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Kim Jorgensen
Phone
Email hawaiicondoyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on thematter
Support
Representing SelfOrganization
Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony on Bill 40 IWritten Testimonyfully SUPPORT it
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and1Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
HAwAII STATE AFL-CIO888 Mililani Street Suite 501 bull Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Randy Perreira Telephone (808)597-1441President Fax (808) 593-2149
City CouncilCity and County of Honolulu
Testimony byHawairsquoi State AFL-CIO
October 6 2021
Testimony in SUPPORT of Bill 40 Relating tothe Transient Accommodations Tax
The Hawairsquoi State AFL-CIO is a state federation of 74 affiliate local unions and councils with over68000 members across both public and private sectors We appreciate the opportunity to testify insupport of Bill 40
Of all counties in the state swift measures must be taken to mitigate the negative impact overtourismhas on Honolulursquos infrastructure Traffic congestion in Honolulu is exacerbated by the visitorindustry Establishing a three percent transient accommodations tax is key to generating the revenueneeded to invest in Orsquoahursquos public transportation system The Honolulu Rail Transit Project is apublic good that will benefit 0rsquo ahu workers residents and visitors alike by providing a publictransportation option that complements The Bus and further relieves traffic congestion where it ismost needed
We appreciate your consideration of our testimony in support of Bill 40 and strongly urge you to passthis bill
ectfullysnitted
Randy PerreiraPresident
Dion DizonQfbwtcio org
HAWAII APPLESEEDCENTER FOR LAW amp ECONOMIC JUSTTCE
Testimony of the Hawairsquoi Appleseed Center for Law and Economic JusticeSUPPORT mdash Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
City and County of HonoluluWednesday October 6 2021 10AM
Aloha Chair Waters and Councilmembers
We at Hawaii Appleseed strongly support Bill 40 and efforts to use TAT funds to complete therail project as it will dramatically increase the housing stock in TOD areas and create efficientand equitable access to transit To support the affordable housing that Oahu desperately needswe must finish the rail and provide the subsidies needed to ensure that housing is prioritized forlocal residents and stays affordable over the long-term
In addition we urge the council to provide that a fixed percentage of the TAT be allocatedto rail funding so the project can be completed in a fiscally responsible way with a securefunding stream Ideally all of the necessary funds for completion and ongoing maintenance cancome from this dedicated funding which is paid for by visitors to Oahu
Finishing the rail will enable thousands of homes to be built along the rail corridor Withappropriate affordability restrictions and public support these homes can address the severeshortage of affordable housing here on Oahu A recent 2020 study prepared by PBR Hawaii forthe Hawaii Office of Planning estimates the addition of 50900 residential units around the EastKapolei Stadium and lwilei TOD areas alone1rsquo Although these homes will be built in phasesover the next 40 years it is clear that development around rail can substantially contribute to oursupply of affordable housing According to the 2019 Hawaii Housing Planning Study Oahu willneed an additional 22168 residential units by 2025 with half of the need for households withcombined incomes of $75000 or less
Rail is needed to alleviate traffic and provide walkable neighborhoodsAs Oahu plans for the future we should be focused on housing constructed in walkable urbanneighborhoods with easy access to amenities parks and transit To support the smartaffordable and sustainable growth that is needed we should be building around rail-but first wemust complete the rail Access to rail offers an alternative to driving is likely to reduce traffic for
1 July 2020 State Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning and Implementation Project for theisland of Dahu by PBR Hawaii for the Hawaii State Office of Planning Attachment C
communities along the Leeward Coast and wHI create a more equitable way to access theurban core of Honolulu
We strongly urge the council to pass Bill 40 and to continue to work towards creating acomprehensive affordable housing strategy for the residents of Oahu Completing the rail is vitalto enable housing construction but it will take further efforts to ensure that a majority of housingis reserved for local residents and stays affordable over time
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify
Kenna Stormogipsonkennahibudgetorg
October 5 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer And Council Members
Honolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accomodation Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members
I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transient accommodations tax forthe City and County of Honolulu In addition I respectfully request a portion of this generatedtax to be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project We all realize the pastchallenges of the rail project but now have a great opportunity to position HART for a successfulcompletion of the Rail system
With the new leadership at HART I am more confident than ever that we have the managementindustry tmst transparency technical expertise and action plan required to move this projectahead This dedicated funding source which will be shouldered by our tourist will allowconstruction to continue toward a successful completion for ALL of us This will also spurTransit Oriented Deveiopment around the system to help create housing and businessopportunities in our communities
Thank you for this opportunity to submit my support for Bill 40 and to generate an additionalrevenue source for HART
Respectfully
Dexter Kubota PEVice President
dkubota bowersandkubotacom
a a aareg
aqJrsquoJ1001 Bishop Street I Suite 625 I Honolulu HI 96213-28301-866-295-7282 I Fax 808-536-2882
bull aarporghi I aarphiaarporg I twittercomAARPHawaiI
H auva i I
Honolulu City CouncilOctober 6 2021 1000 am
TO The Honorable Tommy Waters ChairpersonRE Bill 40mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the Committee
My name is Kealirsquoi Lopez and I am the State Director for AARP Hawairsquoi AARP is a membershiporganization of people age fifty and over with nearly 145000 members in HawaiiAARP Hawaii supports Bill 40 which seeks to establish transient accommodations tax (TAT) forthe City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and facilitate thereceipt and deposit of the revenue derived
We respectfully wish to add our comment and support for a dedicated percentage of the TATthat will support the mass transit project Having an ongoing dedicated source of funding willhelp pay for mass transit project the ongoing operations and maintenance of the system afterconstruction has been completed and without the need to raise property taxes
AARP has been a strong proponent of an age-friendly community that includesbull Multi-modal forms of transportation for people of all ages Rail affords another
transportation option for Honolulu especially for seniors and those who cannot affordthe high costs of owning a vehicle
bull Transit Orient Developments (TaD) with affordable housings built within walking andbiking distance of major rail stations
Bill 40 provides an opportunity for the City to modernize and complete our transportationinfrastructure Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will help restore confidencewith the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) and could potentially unlock additionalfederal funding opportunities and other public sources to finish the project Thank you for theopportunity to testify in support of Bill 40
Sincerely
lsquos--rsquo hr
Kealirsquoi Lopez State Director
klopezaarporg
BIABUILDING INDUSTRY
A S SOC AT ION ana
TESTIMONY TO THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCILHONOLULU HALE
COUNCIL CHAMBERSOctober 6 2021
900 AM
Honorable Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Council
RE Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
My name is Daryl Takamiya Chair of the Government Relations Committee of the BuildingIndustry Association of Hawaii (BIA-HawaN) Chartered in 1955 the Building IndustryAssociation of Hawaii is a professional trade organization affiliated with the National Associationof Home Builders representing the building industry and its associates BIA-HawaH takes aleadership role in unifying and promoting the interests of the industry to enhance the quality oflife for the people of Hawah Our members build the communities we all call home
BIA-Hawaii is in support of Bill 40 which would establish a transient accommodations tax for theCity and County of Honolulu specifically the portion of the bill that would provide for a depositinto the established transit fund
BIA-Hawaii continues to support the transit system on the island of Oahu because it willincrease the availability of housing as transit-oriented development communities are built Thelack of affordable housing and other quality of life issues continue to plague our communitiesImproving transportation will only help to alleviate these issues and without a completed railproject affordable housing goals will not be met Bill 40 will be an important component toensure that the transit system is brought to successful completion
We appreciate the opportunity to express our views on Sill 40
Stefanie Y Sakamotostefsakamotoconsultingcom
tamp 006-629-7501 94-487 Akoki St Ste 213 wwwbiahawakorg
fax 808-629-7701 Waipahu HI 9679 infobiahawaiiorg
From CLK Council Into
Sent Tuesday October 5 2021 657 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Stanford Masui
Phone
Email standamanniasuigmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-202 1
CouncilPHBudgetCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40
YOLIE positionOppose
on the matter
Representing Organization
Organization RAILSOS (Study Other Solutions)
Chairman Waters and members of the councilOur organization opposes this bill as written1 It assumes that a portion of the TAT will be set aside for a transit fund for the rail Thisassumption should not he made without a vigorous discussion as whether funds should hesiphoned off for a project that is no longer financially viable To put it bluntly why ldquothrowgood money after badrdquo
2 The rail is at an inflection point as to whether it should he constructed beyond its currentendpoint at Middle St or further intensive study as to viable alternatives rather thancontinuing on to Ala Moana at a prohibitive cost Past VIA administrators have urged the cityto consider modification of its plans a clear signal that additional funding may not beforthcoming
Wutten3 Transit Oriented Development is a myth Most of the buildina of condos in the KapiolaniTestimony -corridor were planned without any consideration of the rail route This is amply demonstratedby the fact that while HART struggles to come up with a funding plan and completion to AlaMoana is questionable developers are proceeding to build The numbers and actual cost ofaffordable housing in these condos are still too expensive for most people to afford Only onemajor project currently is in Ewa and that was planned years before the rail was developed
4 There are urgent issues that require immediate and priority funding homelessness and themental health system police fire and emergency services funding road and highwayimprovement and cleanup and improvement of tourist recreational areas such as parks andbeaches
5 Rather than triggering economic growth the public will be saddled with enormous debt bythe borrowed funding and operational expense estimated variously at present at $120- $150
million per year Electricity costs will cause operational expense to double This project couldbankrupt the city
6 HART should develop a funding or recovery plan before it comes to the council for aportion of TAT revenues
7 The final Environmental Impact Statement indicates only a minimal effect in alleviatingtraffic congestion which is the major argument in favor of funding the rail- The motoringpublic will not see any improvement in driving times and the studies were made years agoand are no longer reliable
The Council is urged to delete any provision that funds the rail in favor of funding otherurgent prioritiesThank you for your consideration
Te stin]on yAttachment
Accept TermsI
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 730 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Leslie M Inouye
Phone
Email Iinouyel4gmai1com
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHBuddeget
Committee
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position onOppose
the matter
Representing Self
Organization
Chairman Waters and City Council I and many others who have only recently becomeaware of Bill 40 must oppose the the use of the TAT to help fund rail It seems there are any
Writtennumber of backdoor plans to find the funds for rail despite the ongoing litany of items thateither have no clear fix andor no specific bottom line At some point you must realize thatTestimony
the rail is not a sustainable to use the popular contemporary term project and to continuepursuing this immense burden portends financial ruin for all of us Please let common senserule your decisions
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IF 19216820067
1
1 PETER A GANABANbull Business Manager
ampcretarj- Treasure
ALFONSO OlIVERPesident
JOBY NORTh IIlice President
TONI FIG(ERO4Recording Secretary
JAMES DRLrsquoMGOLD JRExecutiye Bd
ORLANDO PAESTEExecutive Board
JOSFIrsquoK jAWEsecutiw Board
ESTIIERAILA4udaor
RUSSELl NAPIIIA-4Auditor
SI lsquoIRK TRAVALINO4uJior
MAITINARAN4YDOamprgearn-dt-Arms
LIUNA Local 3681617 Palarna StreetHonolulu HI 96817
Phone (808) 841-5877Fax (808)847-7829
wiwIocaI368org
LiUNA
TESTIMONY OF THE HAWAII LABORERSrsquo UNION LOCAL 358
Honolulu City CouncilCouncil Meeting
Wednesday October 6 20211000 AM
RE Bill 40(2021) mdash RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATION TAX(TAT)
Chair Waters Vice-chair Kiarsquoaina and Council Members
The Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 and its 5000 working and retired men andwomen across the state of Hawaii stand in strong support of Bill 40(2021) whichestablishes a transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) for the City and Countyof Honolulu
The TAT funding proposed in Bill 40 would allow the City and County of Honoluluto maintain and preserve our island while mitigating the impacts of our naturalresources while also building new and existing infrastructure - including theHonolulu Rail Project This proposed measure would help generate much neededrevenue while having our island visitors help in sharing the cost
Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 respectfully requests that the council takefavorable action on this measure and support Bill 40
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony
Shingayi MasiyaGovernment Relations Director
Feel the Power
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 754 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Paul Yonamine
PhoneEmail paulyonaminecpbbank
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncil
Committee
Agenda Item Testimony and Support for Bill 40Your position
Supporton the mailer
Representing Self
Organization
Testimony and Support for Bill 40
I am Paul Yonamine Executive Chairman of Central Pacific Bank andI am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transientaccommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of thisamount I would respectfully request that a portion be set aside for thecompletion of the Honolulu rail project This new revenue source atourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both ofwhom will use and ride a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steadypace Work on utility relocation also continues Work either out to bidor ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficult section of
Written Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and aTestimony dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of a
system that wilt transform Oahu - Westside families will have theoption to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending anhourdivide in traffic Transit-oriented developments (TOD) to includeaffordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances
Rail and TOD represents the single most important economic driverfor the City and County of Honolulu and the state of Hawaii It alsopresents an invaluable opportunity for more affordable housingdevelopment for generations to come Donrsquot stop and impedeprogress of rail because of past project mismanagement We shouldmake sure the project is fully funded and that capable projectmanagers are hired positioned and empowered to complete thisproject
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support andlook forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 824 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Michael KamakaPhone
Email mkamakabowersandkubotacomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40 - Transient Accommodations TaxYour position
Supporton the matterRepresenting SelfOrganization
October 6 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer and Council MembersHonolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Sill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodation TaxDear Chair Waters and MembersPlease accept this written testimony of my support of Bill 40 toestablish a transient accommodations tax for the City and County ofHonolulu Under Sill 40
Written I believe a transient accommodations tax collects the fair and equitableTestimony amount from visitors who enjoy our City and County of Honolulu today
and in the future The tax will provide funding to mitigate impacts ofvisitors by providing money to support the restoration and maintenanceof public facilitiesAs part of the mitigation to the impacts of visitors I respectfully requesta portion of this transient accommodations tax be set aside to supportthe completion of the Honolulu rail project A rail system will helpmitigate the impacts by visitors in the Honolulu area by providing acleaner alternative of transportation thereby minimizing pollutantscaused by vehicle traffic and congestionAlthough there has been fiscal schedule and constructabilitychallenges there is a renewed hope and optimism for the completionof the rail system A renewable source of funding is the opportunity toposition HART for a successful completion of the rail system With new
1
leadership at HART I am confident HART has the people industrytrust transparency technical expertise and viable action plan neededto move this project ahead Funding through a portion of the transientaccommodation tax will provide a sustainable and dedicated fundingsource to allow construction to continueThank you for allowing me this opportunity to submit my support for Bill40Respectfully
Michael Kamaka PE Principal
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
DUHO1IFONjasorsca4 ampuatildeder
HAWAII
October 52021
Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairMembers of the Honolulu City Council
RE Comments on Bill 40 (ldquoBill 40rdquo) Rclating to the Transient Accommodations TaxHearing date Wednesday October 6 2021 at 1000 AM
Aloha Chair Waters Vicc Chair Kiarsquoaina and members of the Honolulu City Council
Mahalo for the opportunity to submit testimony on behalf of DR Horton Hawaii LLC(ldquoDR Hortonrdquo) in Support of Bill 40 relating to the transient accommodations tax DR Hortonis one of Hawaiirsquos largest home builders and has been providing affordable housing and first-timebuyer homes for Hawaiirsquos families throughout Oahu for nearly fifty years
Bill 40 establishes a county transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) (ldquoCountyTATrdquo) The new County TAT imposes a tax on the gross rental or gross rental proceeds derivedfrom the furnishing of transient accommodations Every transient accommodation broker travelagency and tour packagDr that arrange transient accommodations and every plan manager shallpay the County TAT Additionally Bill 40 allocates percentages of the tax revenue generated bythe County TAT into I) the general fund 2) the transit fund established under Chapter 6 Article61 and 3) a special account in the general fund specifically used to mitigate the impacts of visitorson public facilities including the restoration and maintenance of beaches and parks
Prinarily DR Horton supports an allocation of the County TAT to be dedicated tofunding the rail project We favor a fixed allocation of funding that will enable the city to finishand maintain the project in a fiscally responsible way allowing the rail project to be completedwithout raising property taxes or endangering the Countyrsquos bond rating Furthermore funding therail project will restore confidence with the FTA and potentially unlock much needed federalfunding
Additionally the completion of the rail project will directly influence the creation of asignificant inventory of much needed affordable housing Completing the rail project willincentivize transit oriented development around the downtown and Ala Moana rail stationsprojected to create an additional 11600 housing units Failing to complete the rail project will putus that much further behind the curve in reaching our collective affordable housing goals
Dahu Maui Hawaii Island Kauai
130 Merchant Street Suite 112 Honolulu Hawaii 96813 8085215661
wwwdrhortoncomhawaii
Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairOctober 52021Page 2
Finally completion of the rail has the added benefit of decreasing our dependance onimported oil and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging multi-modal forms oftransportation that are both walkable and bikeable consistent with the Cityrsquos long term planninggoals Further the completion of the rail project will create a much needed connection betweenmaster planned communities in Ewa and downtown Honolulu enhancing the quality life forfamilies living in West Oahu
In summary DR Horton supports Bill 40 and the proposed allocations Mahalo for yourtime and consideration It is very much appreciated Should you have any questions please donot hesitate to contact me at 808-782-4109 or ttonakicdrhortoneom
Sincerely
9KTracy TonakiSenior Vice President
Evan Quoeoueirnanaka-asatoeom
1065 Ahua StreetHonolulu H 96819Phone 808-833-1681 FAX 839-4167Email jfbullfccedileaIigcaQia (iINERAI (lsquo()NrIAuIORS ASSOCIATION OF I IAWAIIWebsite wwwgcahawoiiore
Quality People Quality Projects
October 162021
Councilman Tommy Waters ChairMembers of the City CouncilCity amp County of the Honolulu CityHonolulu HI 96813
Re Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the City Council
The General Contractors Association of Hawaii (GCA) is an organization comprised ofapproximately five hundred (500) general contractors subcontractors and construction relatedfirms The GCA was established in 1932 and is the largest construction association in the Stateof Hawaii Our mission is to elevate Hawaiirsquos construction industry and strengthen thefoundation of our community
GCA is in STRONG SUPPORT of Bill 40 which establishes a transient accommodations taxfor the City and County of Honolulu
Of this amount we respectfully request that a portion be set aside for the completion of theI lonolulu rail project This new revenue source a tourist tax comes from our visitors rather thanour residents both of whom will use and ridc a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utilityrelocation also continues A dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of asystem that will transform Oahu Westsidc families will have the option to ride the rail to workand school rather than spending an hour-4- in traffic
Further transit-oriented developments include affordable units along the route This will helpaddress our housing shortage asll600 housing units along the downtown and Ala Moana railstations will be completed as a result of the TOD planning This creates multi-modals form oftransportation that allow for walkable bikeable communities and safe streets for families
Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony in support of Bill 40
Ryan Sakuda
ryan(gcahawaiiorg
-4rsquo
a4714rdquo t014 5n
Testimony by Harry SaundersPresident Castle amp Cooke Hawairsquoi
October 5 2021
City and County of Honolulu City CouncilRegarding
BILL 40 (2021)RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS TAX
SUPPORT WITH COMMENTS
Chair amp Presiding Officer Tommy Waters Vice Chair Esther Kiarsquoaumlina and Members of the City Council
I am Harry Saunders Presidcnt of Castle amp Cookc Hawairsquoi Thank you for the opportunity to submittcstimony regarding Bill 40 (2021)
Castic amp Cooke Hawairsquoi supports the intent of Bill 40 that will dedicate a portion of the transientaccommodations tax into a transportation fund It is critical that this bill have a fixed percentage of thetransient accommodations tax dedicated towards the funding of the rail so the city can finish the projectin a fiscally responsible way without raising property taxes and endangering our cityrsquos bond rating
Allocating a fixed percentage of the transient accommodations tax to fund the rail transit project will havelong temi benefits to visitors and kamarsquoaina alike
Rail will provide multi-modal opportunities giving residents transportation options It will help reducethe dependence on vehicles and its requisite imported oils with overall benefits to the health of ourenvironment Rail will reduce commute times for residents living in outlying communities The timethey gain back will enhance their quality of life
It also provides housing and redevelopment opportunities to communities With this redevelopmentcomes affordable housing Affordable housing planned in Transit Oriented Development for thedowntown and Ala Moana rail stations is a combined 11600 housing units
Allocating a fixed percentage of the TAT funding to Rail will pay for the ongoing operations andmaintenance of the system after construction has been completed again without the need to raiseproperty taxes
Mahalo for your consideration of my testimony Should you have any questions please feel free tocontact us
Harry Saunders Garret MatsunamiPresident Vice President Residential OperationsCastle amp Cooke Hawairsquoi Castle amp Cooke Hawairsquoifsakai(i2eastlecookeeom gmatsunamicastlecookecomPhone 548-4884 Phone 626-3625llcQmacastIecookecom
680 Iwilei Road Box 510 Honolulu Hawaii 96817Phone (808) 548-4811 Fax (808) 548-6690
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 110 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mufi HannemannPhoneEmail mhannemanncopyhawaBlodgingorgMeeting Date 10-06-2021CouncilPH
CouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40Your position
Commenton the matter
Representing Organization
Organization Hawairsquoi Lodging amp Tourism AssociationTestimony ofMufi HannemannPresident amp CEOHawaii Lodging amp Tourism Association
Honolulu City CouncilBill 40 (2021)October 6 2021
Chair Waters and members of the Honolulu City Council mahalo forthe opportunity to submit testimony on behalf of the Hawaii Lodging ampTourism Association the statersquos largest private sector visitor industryorganization
WrittenTestimony The Hawaii Lodging amp Tourism Associationmdashnearly 700 members
strong representing more than 50000 hotel rooms and nearly 40000lodging workersmdashstrongly opposed the passage of House Bill 862which among myriad other issues stripped the State TransientAccommodations Tax (TAT) allocation to the counties and allowed forup to an additional three percent surcharge to be levied on lodgingproperties The surcharge proposed by this measure represents a 29increase to the TAT that comes at a highly inopportune time for anindustry that has been drastically affected by the pandemic and travelrestrictions However with the veto override by the Legislature andthe ultimate passage of HB 862 we recognize the financial position inwhich the City amp County of Honolulu finds itself and the need todeliberate on the introduced bill As the latest version of Bill 40 (2020)does not stipulate the percentages by which the collected tax monies
will be divided between the general fund transit fund and theunnamed visitor impact fund we would like to provide comments onthe proposed measure at this time
As the vast majority of monies raised by the TATmdashand the new threepercent surchargemdashwill undoubtedly come from the pockets of visitorsit is our position that the lionrsquos share of these funds should be utilizedto address tourism related needs and the impacts created by travelersto Hawaii The opportunities in this regard are seemingly endless andcould include more routine county tasks such as road refinishing andupdates to our infrastructure but should also be used on projects moredirectly associated with tourism impacts like trail management beachand park maintenance additional support for first responders and theprovision of adequate public safety staffing at beaches and other Cityinstallations
We are all aware of the discussions currently happening in thecommunity that focus upon tourism its impact on our naturalresources and communities and the significant role it plays in oureconomy Anti-tourism sentiments are at an all-time high and both thetourism industry and the community are working to strike a finebalance that suits both residents and visitors to our home Relegatinga significant portion of funds generated by the surcharge to the tourismimpact fund would ensure that the City is appropriately addressing thevarious issues surrounding tourism with visitor dollars and would maketransparency in the process that much more likely The HawaiiTourism Authorityrsquos Destination Management Action Plan processmdashwhich aims to better manage tourism for our entire statemdashhas beencompleted for Oahu and this would be an ideal jumping off point tobegin discussion of how surcharge funds are utilized for some of theirpriorities Finally we would also like to better understand who willoversee the special tourism impact fund and ensure that said funds willbe used for their intended purposes through a transparent process
We look forward to a robust public discourse on this measure andthank you for the opportunity to provide these comments
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
Mobi[e 8084288717
c EmaH indascFarzschtzcoIlabortvecoin- lsquo- 5chatzcohaboratvecomcollaborative
October 5 2021
Via email to Honolulu City Council
SUBJECT Bill 40(2021) mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations TaxCouncil Meeting October 6 2021 1000am
Dear Council Members
I am submitting written testimony to offer comments to Bill 40
This bill must have a fixed percentage of the TAT dedicated to funding the rail to avoidraising property taxes or jeopardizing our bond rating
Irsquove been a housing advocate and developer for the last 20 years and have supported effortsto create multi-modal neighborhoods in the primary urban core If a fixed percentage of atleast half of the TAT to the county goes to rail construction operations and rail focusedactivities such as TOD it will help create ripe conditions for housing redevelopment andwalkable communities Rail is also a catalyst to begin the efforts to bring back sociallyequitable planning efforts to disadvantaged neighborhoods on Dahu Without a dedicatedsource of funding we lose so much more in terms of equitable opportunities for Oahursquoscommunity and future generations
Thank you again for the opportunity to submit this testimony If there are any questions or ifadditional information is needed please do not hesitate to contact me at (808)428-8717
Warmest Regards
Linda Schatz
Principal
HAWAII REGIONAL COUNCIL OF
CARPENTERS
October 6 2021
City Council
City amp County of Honolulu
Councilmember Tommy Waters Chair
Councilmember Esther Kiarsquoatildeina Vice Chair
Statement of the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters mdash SUPPORT for Bill 40 (2021)mdashRelating to thetransient accommodations tax
Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiarsquoatildeina and Members of the Council
The Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters would like to offer their support for Bill 40 relating to thetransient accommodations tax
Specifically this bill must contain a fixed percentage of the TAT that is dedicated to funding for rail sothe city can finish the project in fiscally responsible way without the need to raise property taxes
Dedicating a percentage of the TAT will also pay for the ongoing operations and maintenance of thesystem after construction has been completed again without the need to raise property taxes
Modernizing our infrastructure is important piece of the Biden administrationrsquos plan to ldquoBuild BackBetterrdquo Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will restore confidence with the FTA andcould potentially unlock additional federal funding opportunities
The downtown and Ala Moana rail stations will have a combined 11600 housing units as a result of theTransit Orientated Development planning and without a completed Rail project TOD and our affordablehousing goals cannot be met
Mass transit will decrease our dependance on imported oil reduce our greenhouse gas emissions andallow for the creation of walkable bikeable communities and safe streets for families
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has studied the impact of public transportation systems and rail isassociated with reductions in several health risk factors such as motor vehicle crashes air pollution andphysical inactivity
STATE HEADQUARTERS amp BUSINESS OFFICESOAIIU 1311 Hoiighiailirig SEreetHonnlulu Hawaii 96S17rsquo2711 bull Ph (808) 847-5761 Fax (808) 440-9188
111W OFFICE 525 Kilauca Avenue Room 205 Fur Hawaii 967203050 bull Ph (808) 935-8575 lOx (808) 935-8576KONA OFFICE 75-126 Lunapule RoadKajlua-Kona Hawaii 96740-2106 bull Ph (808) 329-7355 Fax (808) 326-9376
MAUI OFFICE 330 Hookahi StreetWailuku Maui 96793-1449 bull Ph (808) 2426891 Fax (808) 242-5961IA[JAI OFFICE KuIjo Medical CEr Bldg3-3295 Kuhio HwySuiteZOiLihue Kauai 96766-1040 Ph(SO8) 245-8511 Fax (808) 245-8911
A completed rail system will afford greater transportation options for Honolulu especially for seniors
and those who cannot afford the high costs of owning a vehicle
And it will enhance the quality life for leeward families who spend hours in traffic each day
Mahalo for your consideration
Nathaniel KinneynRinncyhrcc-bwflccm
MOVEOAHUFORWARD
October 6 2021
Chairman Tommy Waters and members of the Honolulu City Council
Aloha my name is Jennifer Sabas and I serve as the Executive Director of Move Oahu Forward a nonprofit organization supporting the Honolulu rail project as an integral part of a robust publictransportation system on Oahu I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish atransient accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of this amount I wouldrespectfully request that a portion be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project Thisnew revenue source a tourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both of whosewill ride the finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utility relocationalso continues Work either out to bid or ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficultsection of Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and a dedicated localrevenue source will allow for the completion of a system that will transform Oahu - Westside familieswill have the option to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending an hour+ in trafficTransit-oriented developments to include affordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances for many Oahu families
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support and look forward to a rigorousdebate and discussion in the months ahead
Aloha
Jennifer SabasExecutive DirectorMove Oahu ForwardP0 Box 1329Honolulu HI 96807
jennifermoveoahuforwardorg
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 353 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Nelisa Asato
Phone
Email nasatomatsoncomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee CouncilAgenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter SupportRepresenting Organization
Organization Matson Navigation Company IncWritten Testimony
Testimony AttachmentAccept Terms and Agreement 1
IP 19216820067
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 419 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Denise Boisvert
Phone
Email infofordeniseyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
YES I FULLY SUPPORT Bill 40 proposed by ChairWaters
Written Testimony All the requirements in the proposed bill are EXCELLENT
Mahalo to all for your kind consideration to more this billforward
Testimony Attachment
AcceptTerms and1
Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 418 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mary Kate Duggan
Phone
Email marykateelizabethduggangmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Resolution 21-234
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
Written Testimony
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and Agreement 1
lP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 423 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Kim Jorgensen
Phone
Email hawaiicondoyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on thematter
Support
Representing SelfOrganization
Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony on Bill 40 IWritten Testimonyfully SUPPORT it
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and1Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
HAwAII STATE AFL-CIO888 Mililani Street Suite 501 bull Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Randy Perreira Telephone (808)597-1441President Fax (808) 593-2149
City CouncilCity and County of Honolulu
Testimony byHawairsquoi State AFL-CIO
October 6 2021
Testimony in SUPPORT of Bill 40 Relating tothe Transient Accommodations Tax
The Hawairsquoi State AFL-CIO is a state federation of 74 affiliate local unions and councils with over68000 members across both public and private sectors We appreciate the opportunity to testify insupport of Bill 40
Of all counties in the state swift measures must be taken to mitigate the negative impact overtourismhas on Honolulursquos infrastructure Traffic congestion in Honolulu is exacerbated by the visitorindustry Establishing a three percent transient accommodations tax is key to generating the revenueneeded to invest in Orsquoahursquos public transportation system The Honolulu Rail Transit Project is apublic good that will benefit 0rsquo ahu workers residents and visitors alike by providing a publictransportation option that complements The Bus and further relieves traffic congestion where it ismost needed
We appreciate your consideration of our testimony in support of Bill 40 and strongly urge you to passthis bill
ectfullysnitted
Randy PerreiraPresident
Dion DizonQfbwtcio org
HAWAII APPLESEEDCENTER FOR LAW amp ECONOMIC JUSTTCE
Testimony of the Hawairsquoi Appleseed Center for Law and Economic JusticeSUPPORT mdash Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
City and County of HonoluluWednesday October 6 2021 10AM
Aloha Chair Waters and Councilmembers
We at Hawaii Appleseed strongly support Bill 40 and efforts to use TAT funds to complete therail project as it will dramatically increase the housing stock in TOD areas and create efficientand equitable access to transit To support the affordable housing that Oahu desperately needswe must finish the rail and provide the subsidies needed to ensure that housing is prioritized forlocal residents and stays affordable over the long-term
In addition we urge the council to provide that a fixed percentage of the TAT be allocatedto rail funding so the project can be completed in a fiscally responsible way with a securefunding stream Ideally all of the necessary funds for completion and ongoing maintenance cancome from this dedicated funding which is paid for by visitors to Oahu
Finishing the rail will enable thousands of homes to be built along the rail corridor Withappropriate affordability restrictions and public support these homes can address the severeshortage of affordable housing here on Oahu A recent 2020 study prepared by PBR Hawaii forthe Hawaii Office of Planning estimates the addition of 50900 residential units around the EastKapolei Stadium and lwilei TOD areas alone1rsquo Although these homes will be built in phasesover the next 40 years it is clear that development around rail can substantially contribute to oursupply of affordable housing According to the 2019 Hawaii Housing Planning Study Oahu willneed an additional 22168 residential units by 2025 with half of the need for households withcombined incomes of $75000 or less
Rail is needed to alleviate traffic and provide walkable neighborhoodsAs Oahu plans for the future we should be focused on housing constructed in walkable urbanneighborhoods with easy access to amenities parks and transit To support the smartaffordable and sustainable growth that is needed we should be building around rail-but first wemust complete the rail Access to rail offers an alternative to driving is likely to reduce traffic for
1 July 2020 State Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning and Implementation Project for theisland of Dahu by PBR Hawaii for the Hawaii State Office of Planning Attachment C
communities along the Leeward Coast and wHI create a more equitable way to access theurban core of Honolulu
We strongly urge the council to pass Bill 40 and to continue to work towards creating acomprehensive affordable housing strategy for the residents of Oahu Completing the rail is vitalto enable housing construction but it will take further efforts to ensure that a majority of housingis reserved for local residents and stays affordable over time
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify
Kenna Stormogipsonkennahibudgetorg
October 5 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer And Council Members
Honolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accomodation Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members
I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transient accommodations tax forthe City and County of Honolulu In addition I respectfully request a portion of this generatedtax to be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project We all realize the pastchallenges of the rail project but now have a great opportunity to position HART for a successfulcompletion of the Rail system
With the new leadership at HART I am more confident than ever that we have the managementindustry tmst transparency technical expertise and action plan required to move this projectahead This dedicated funding source which will be shouldered by our tourist will allowconstruction to continue toward a successful completion for ALL of us This will also spurTransit Oriented Deveiopment around the system to help create housing and businessopportunities in our communities
Thank you for this opportunity to submit my support for Bill 40 and to generate an additionalrevenue source for HART
Respectfully
Dexter Kubota PEVice President
dkubota bowersandkubotacom
a a aareg
aqJrsquoJ1001 Bishop Street I Suite 625 I Honolulu HI 96213-28301-866-295-7282 I Fax 808-536-2882
bull aarporghi I aarphiaarporg I twittercomAARPHawaiI
H auva i I
Honolulu City CouncilOctober 6 2021 1000 am
TO The Honorable Tommy Waters ChairpersonRE Bill 40mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the Committee
My name is Kealirsquoi Lopez and I am the State Director for AARP Hawairsquoi AARP is a membershiporganization of people age fifty and over with nearly 145000 members in HawaiiAARP Hawaii supports Bill 40 which seeks to establish transient accommodations tax (TAT) forthe City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and facilitate thereceipt and deposit of the revenue derived
We respectfully wish to add our comment and support for a dedicated percentage of the TATthat will support the mass transit project Having an ongoing dedicated source of funding willhelp pay for mass transit project the ongoing operations and maintenance of the system afterconstruction has been completed and without the need to raise property taxes
AARP has been a strong proponent of an age-friendly community that includesbull Multi-modal forms of transportation for people of all ages Rail affords another
transportation option for Honolulu especially for seniors and those who cannot affordthe high costs of owning a vehicle
bull Transit Orient Developments (TaD) with affordable housings built within walking andbiking distance of major rail stations
Bill 40 provides an opportunity for the City to modernize and complete our transportationinfrastructure Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will help restore confidencewith the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) and could potentially unlock additionalfederal funding opportunities and other public sources to finish the project Thank you for theopportunity to testify in support of Bill 40
Sincerely
lsquos--rsquo hr
Kealirsquoi Lopez State Director
klopezaarporg
BIABUILDING INDUSTRY
A S SOC AT ION ana
TESTIMONY TO THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCILHONOLULU HALE
COUNCIL CHAMBERSOctober 6 2021
900 AM
Honorable Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Council
RE Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
My name is Daryl Takamiya Chair of the Government Relations Committee of the BuildingIndustry Association of Hawaii (BIA-HawaN) Chartered in 1955 the Building IndustryAssociation of Hawaii is a professional trade organization affiliated with the National Associationof Home Builders representing the building industry and its associates BIA-HawaH takes aleadership role in unifying and promoting the interests of the industry to enhance the quality oflife for the people of Hawah Our members build the communities we all call home
BIA-Hawaii is in support of Bill 40 which would establish a transient accommodations tax for theCity and County of Honolulu specifically the portion of the bill that would provide for a depositinto the established transit fund
BIA-Hawaii continues to support the transit system on the island of Oahu because it willincrease the availability of housing as transit-oriented development communities are built Thelack of affordable housing and other quality of life issues continue to plague our communitiesImproving transportation will only help to alleviate these issues and without a completed railproject affordable housing goals will not be met Bill 40 will be an important component toensure that the transit system is brought to successful completion
We appreciate the opportunity to express our views on Sill 40
Stefanie Y Sakamotostefsakamotoconsultingcom
tamp 006-629-7501 94-487 Akoki St Ste 213 wwwbiahawakorg
fax 808-629-7701 Waipahu HI 9679 infobiahawaiiorg
From CLK Council Into
Sent Tuesday October 5 2021 657 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Stanford Masui
Phone
Email standamanniasuigmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-202 1
CouncilPHBudgetCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40
YOLIE positionOppose
on the matter
Representing Organization
Organization RAILSOS (Study Other Solutions)
Chairman Waters and members of the councilOur organization opposes this bill as written1 It assumes that a portion of the TAT will be set aside for a transit fund for the rail Thisassumption should not he made without a vigorous discussion as whether funds should hesiphoned off for a project that is no longer financially viable To put it bluntly why ldquothrowgood money after badrdquo
2 The rail is at an inflection point as to whether it should he constructed beyond its currentendpoint at Middle St or further intensive study as to viable alternatives rather thancontinuing on to Ala Moana at a prohibitive cost Past VIA administrators have urged the cityto consider modification of its plans a clear signal that additional funding may not beforthcoming
Wutten3 Transit Oriented Development is a myth Most of the buildina of condos in the KapiolaniTestimony -corridor were planned without any consideration of the rail route This is amply demonstratedby the fact that while HART struggles to come up with a funding plan and completion to AlaMoana is questionable developers are proceeding to build The numbers and actual cost ofaffordable housing in these condos are still too expensive for most people to afford Only onemajor project currently is in Ewa and that was planned years before the rail was developed
4 There are urgent issues that require immediate and priority funding homelessness and themental health system police fire and emergency services funding road and highwayimprovement and cleanup and improvement of tourist recreational areas such as parks andbeaches
5 Rather than triggering economic growth the public will be saddled with enormous debt bythe borrowed funding and operational expense estimated variously at present at $120- $150
million per year Electricity costs will cause operational expense to double This project couldbankrupt the city
6 HART should develop a funding or recovery plan before it comes to the council for aportion of TAT revenues
7 The final Environmental Impact Statement indicates only a minimal effect in alleviatingtraffic congestion which is the major argument in favor of funding the rail- The motoringpublic will not see any improvement in driving times and the studies were made years agoand are no longer reliable
The Council is urged to delete any provision that funds the rail in favor of funding otherurgent prioritiesThank you for your consideration
Te stin]on yAttachment
Accept TermsI
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 730 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Leslie M Inouye
Phone
Email Iinouyel4gmai1com
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHBuddeget
Committee
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position onOppose
the matter
Representing Self
Organization
Chairman Waters and City Council I and many others who have only recently becomeaware of Bill 40 must oppose the the use of the TAT to help fund rail It seems there are any
Writtennumber of backdoor plans to find the funds for rail despite the ongoing litany of items thateither have no clear fix andor no specific bottom line At some point you must realize thatTestimony
the rail is not a sustainable to use the popular contemporary term project and to continuepursuing this immense burden portends financial ruin for all of us Please let common senserule your decisions
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IF 19216820067
1
1 PETER A GANABANbull Business Manager
ampcretarj- Treasure
ALFONSO OlIVERPesident
JOBY NORTh IIlice President
TONI FIG(ERO4Recording Secretary
JAMES DRLrsquoMGOLD JRExecutiye Bd
ORLANDO PAESTEExecutive Board
JOSFIrsquoK jAWEsecutiw Board
ESTIIERAILA4udaor
RUSSELl NAPIIIA-4Auditor
SI lsquoIRK TRAVALINO4uJior
MAITINARAN4YDOamprgearn-dt-Arms
LIUNA Local 3681617 Palarna StreetHonolulu HI 96817
Phone (808) 841-5877Fax (808)847-7829
wiwIocaI368org
LiUNA
TESTIMONY OF THE HAWAII LABORERSrsquo UNION LOCAL 358
Honolulu City CouncilCouncil Meeting
Wednesday October 6 20211000 AM
RE Bill 40(2021) mdash RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATION TAX(TAT)
Chair Waters Vice-chair Kiarsquoaina and Council Members
The Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 and its 5000 working and retired men andwomen across the state of Hawaii stand in strong support of Bill 40(2021) whichestablishes a transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) for the City and Countyof Honolulu
The TAT funding proposed in Bill 40 would allow the City and County of Honoluluto maintain and preserve our island while mitigating the impacts of our naturalresources while also building new and existing infrastructure - including theHonolulu Rail Project This proposed measure would help generate much neededrevenue while having our island visitors help in sharing the cost
Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 respectfully requests that the council takefavorable action on this measure and support Bill 40
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony
Shingayi MasiyaGovernment Relations Director
Feel the Power
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 754 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Paul Yonamine
PhoneEmail paulyonaminecpbbank
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncil
Committee
Agenda Item Testimony and Support for Bill 40Your position
Supporton the mailer
Representing Self
Organization
Testimony and Support for Bill 40
I am Paul Yonamine Executive Chairman of Central Pacific Bank andI am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transientaccommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of thisamount I would respectfully request that a portion be set aside for thecompletion of the Honolulu rail project This new revenue source atourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both ofwhom will use and ride a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steadypace Work on utility relocation also continues Work either out to bidor ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficult section of
Written Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and aTestimony dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of a
system that wilt transform Oahu - Westside families will have theoption to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending anhourdivide in traffic Transit-oriented developments (TOD) to includeaffordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances
Rail and TOD represents the single most important economic driverfor the City and County of Honolulu and the state of Hawaii It alsopresents an invaluable opportunity for more affordable housingdevelopment for generations to come Donrsquot stop and impedeprogress of rail because of past project mismanagement We shouldmake sure the project is fully funded and that capable projectmanagers are hired positioned and empowered to complete thisproject
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support andlook forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 824 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Michael KamakaPhone
Email mkamakabowersandkubotacomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40 - Transient Accommodations TaxYour position
Supporton the matterRepresenting SelfOrganization
October 6 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer and Council MembersHonolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Sill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodation TaxDear Chair Waters and MembersPlease accept this written testimony of my support of Bill 40 toestablish a transient accommodations tax for the City and County ofHonolulu Under Sill 40
Written I believe a transient accommodations tax collects the fair and equitableTestimony amount from visitors who enjoy our City and County of Honolulu today
and in the future The tax will provide funding to mitigate impacts ofvisitors by providing money to support the restoration and maintenanceof public facilitiesAs part of the mitigation to the impacts of visitors I respectfully requesta portion of this transient accommodations tax be set aside to supportthe completion of the Honolulu rail project A rail system will helpmitigate the impacts by visitors in the Honolulu area by providing acleaner alternative of transportation thereby minimizing pollutantscaused by vehicle traffic and congestionAlthough there has been fiscal schedule and constructabilitychallenges there is a renewed hope and optimism for the completionof the rail system A renewable source of funding is the opportunity toposition HART for a successful completion of the rail system With new
1
leadership at HART I am confident HART has the people industrytrust transparency technical expertise and viable action plan neededto move this project ahead Funding through a portion of the transientaccommodation tax will provide a sustainable and dedicated fundingsource to allow construction to continueThank you for allowing me this opportunity to submit my support for Bill40Respectfully
Michael Kamaka PE Principal
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
Councilmember Tommy Waters ChairCouncilmember Esther Kiarsquoaina Vice- ChairOctober 52021Page 2
Finally completion of the rail has the added benefit of decreasing our dependance onimported oil and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging multi-modal forms oftransportation that are both walkable and bikeable consistent with the Cityrsquos long term planninggoals Further the completion of the rail project will create a much needed connection betweenmaster planned communities in Ewa and downtown Honolulu enhancing the quality life forfamilies living in West Oahu
In summary DR Horton supports Bill 40 and the proposed allocations Mahalo for yourtime and consideration It is very much appreciated Should you have any questions please donot hesitate to contact me at 808-782-4109 or ttonakicdrhortoneom
Sincerely
9KTracy TonakiSenior Vice President
Evan Quoeoueirnanaka-asatoeom
1065 Ahua StreetHonolulu H 96819Phone 808-833-1681 FAX 839-4167Email jfbullfccedileaIigcaQia (iINERAI (lsquo()NrIAuIORS ASSOCIATION OF I IAWAIIWebsite wwwgcahawoiiore
Quality People Quality Projects
October 162021
Councilman Tommy Waters ChairMembers of the City CouncilCity amp County of the Honolulu CityHonolulu HI 96813
Re Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the City Council
The General Contractors Association of Hawaii (GCA) is an organization comprised ofapproximately five hundred (500) general contractors subcontractors and construction relatedfirms The GCA was established in 1932 and is the largest construction association in the Stateof Hawaii Our mission is to elevate Hawaiirsquos construction industry and strengthen thefoundation of our community
GCA is in STRONG SUPPORT of Bill 40 which establishes a transient accommodations taxfor the City and County of Honolulu
Of this amount we respectfully request that a portion be set aside for the completion of theI lonolulu rail project This new revenue source a tourist tax comes from our visitors rather thanour residents both of whom will use and ridc a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utilityrelocation also continues A dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of asystem that will transform Oahu Westsidc families will have the option to ride the rail to workand school rather than spending an hour-4- in traffic
Further transit-oriented developments include affordable units along the route This will helpaddress our housing shortage asll600 housing units along the downtown and Ala Moana railstations will be completed as a result of the TOD planning This creates multi-modals form oftransportation that allow for walkable bikeable communities and safe streets for families
Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony in support of Bill 40
Ryan Sakuda
ryan(gcahawaiiorg
-4rsquo
a4714rdquo t014 5n
Testimony by Harry SaundersPresident Castle amp Cooke Hawairsquoi
October 5 2021
City and County of Honolulu City CouncilRegarding
BILL 40 (2021)RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS TAX
SUPPORT WITH COMMENTS
Chair amp Presiding Officer Tommy Waters Vice Chair Esther Kiarsquoaumlina and Members of the City Council
I am Harry Saunders Presidcnt of Castle amp Cookc Hawairsquoi Thank you for the opportunity to submittcstimony regarding Bill 40 (2021)
Castic amp Cooke Hawairsquoi supports the intent of Bill 40 that will dedicate a portion of the transientaccommodations tax into a transportation fund It is critical that this bill have a fixed percentage of thetransient accommodations tax dedicated towards the funding of the rail so the city can finish the projectin a fiscally responsible way without raising property taxes and endangering our cityrsquos bond rating
Allocating a fixed percentage of the transient accommodations tax to fund the rail transit project will havelong temi benefits to visitors and kamarsquoaina alike
Rail will provide multi-modal opportunities giving residents transportation options It will help reducethe dependence on vehicles and its requisite imported oils with overall benefits to the health of ourenvironment Rail will reduce commute times for residents living in outlying communities The timethey gain back will enhance their quality of life
It also provides housing and redevelopment opportunities to communities With this redevelopmentcomes affordable housing Affordable housing planned in Transit Oriented Development for thedowntown and Ala Moana rail stations is a combined 11600 housing units
Allocating a fixed percentage of the TAT funding to Rail will pay for the ongoing operations andmaintenance of the system after construction has been completed again without the need to raiseproperty taxes
Mahalo for your consideration of my testimony Should you have any questions please feel free tocontact us
Harry Saunders Garret MatsunamiPresident Vice President Residential OperationsCastle amp Cooke Hawairsquoi Castle amp Cooke Hawairsquoifsakai(i2eastlecookeeom gmatsunamicastlecookecomPhone 548-4884 Phone 626-3625llcQmacastIecookecom
680 Iwilei Road Box 510 Honolulu Hawaii 96817Phone (808) 548-4811 Fax (808) 548-6690
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 110 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mufi HannemannPhoneEmail mhannemanncopyhawaBlodgingorgMeeting Date 10-06-2021CouncilPH
CouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40Your position
Commenton the matter
Representing Organization
Organization Hawairsquoi Lodging amp Tourism AssociationTestimony ofMufi HannemannPresident amp CEOHawaii Lodging amp Tourism Association
Honolulu City CouncilBill 40 (2021)October 6 2021
Chair Waters and members of the Honolulu City Council mahalo forthe opportunity to submit testimony on behalf of the Hawaii Lodging ampTourism Association the statersquos largest private sector visitor industryorganization
WrittenTestimony The Hawaii Lodging amp Tourism Associationmdashnearly 700 members
strong representing more than 50000 hotel rooms and nearly 40000lodging workersmdashstrongly opposed the passage of House Bill 862which among myriad other issues stripped the State TransientAccommodations Tax (TAT) allocation to the counties and allowed forup to an additional three percent surcharge to be levied on lodgingproperties The surcharge proposed by this measure represents a 29increase to the TAT that comes at a highly inopportune time for anindustry that has been drastically affected by the pandemic and travelrestrictions However with the veto override by the Legislature andthe ultimate passage of HB 862 we recognize the financial position inwhich the City amp County of Honolulu finds itself and the need todeliberate on the introduced bill As the latest version of Bill 40 (2020)does not stipulate the percentages by which the collected tax monies
will be divided between the general fund transit fund and theunnamed visitor impact fund we would like to provide comments onthe proposed measure at this time
As the vast majority of monies raised by the TATmdashand the new threepercent surchargemdashwill undoubtedly come from the pockets of visitorsit is our position that the lionrsquos share of these funds should be utilizedto address tourism related needs and the impacts created by travelersto Hawaii The opportunities in this regard are seemingly endless andcould include more routine county tasks such as road refinishing andupdates to our infrastructure but should also be used on projects moredirectly associated with tourism impacts like trail management beachand park maintenance additional support for first responders and theprovision of adequate public safety staffing at beaches and other Cityinstallations
We are all aware of the discussions currently happening in thecommunity that focus upon tourism its impact on our naturalresources and communities and the significant role it plays in oureconomy Anti-tourism sentiments are at an all-time high and both thetourism industry and the community are working to strike a finebalance that suits both residents and visitors to our home Relegatinga significant portion of funds generated by the surcharge to the tourismimpact fund would ensure that the City is appropriately addressing thevarious issues surrounding tourism with visitor dollars and would maketransparency in the process that much more likely The HawaiiTourism Authorityrsquos Destination Management Action Plan processmdashwhich aims to better manage tourism for our entire statemdashhas beencompleted for Oahu and this would be an ideal jumping off point tobegin discussion of how surcharge funds are utilized for some of theirpriorities Finally we would also like to better understand who willoversee the special tourism impact fund and ensure that said funds willbe used for their intended purposes through a transparent process
We look forward to a robust public discourse on this measure andthank you for the opportunity to provide these comments
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
Mobi[e 8084288717
c EmaH indascFarzschtzcoIlabortvecoin- lsquo- 5chatzcohaboratvecomcollaborative
October 5 2021
Via email to Honolulu City Council
SUBJECT Bill 40(2021) mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations TaxCouncil Meeting October 6 2021 1000am
Dear Council Members
I am submitting written testimony to offer comments to Bill 40
This bill must have a fixed percentage of the TAT dedicated to funding the rail to avoidraising property taxes or jeopardizing our bond rating
Irsquove been a housing advocate and developer for the last 20 years and have supported effortsto create multi-modal neighborhoods in the primary urban core If a fixed percentage of atleast half of the TAT to the county goes to rail construction operations and rail focusedactivities such as TOD it will help create ripe conditions for housing redevelopment andwalkable communities Rail is also a catalyst to begin the efforts to bring back sociallyequitable planning efforts to disadvantaged neighborhoods on Dahu Without a dedicatedsource of funding we lose so much more in terms of equitable opportunities for Oahursquoscommunity and future generations
Thank you again for the opportunity to submit this testimony If there are any questions or ifadditional information is needed please do not hesitate to contact me at (808)428-8717
Warmest Regards
Linda Schatz
Principal
HAWAII REGIONAL COUNCIL OF
CARPENTERS
October 6 2021
City Council
City amp County of Honolulu
Councilmember Tommy Waters Chair
Councilmember Esther Kiarsquoatildeina Vice Chair
Statement of the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters mdash SUPPORT for Bill 40 (2021)mdashRelating to thetransient accommodations tax
Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiarsquoatildeina and Members of the Council
The Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters would like to offer their support for Bill 40 relating to thetransient accommodations tax
Specifically this bill must contain a fixed percentage of the TAT that is dedicated to funding for rail sothe city can finish the project in fiscally responsible way without the need to raise property taxes
Dedicating a percentage of the TAT will also pay for the ongoing operations and maintenance of thesystem after construction has been completed again without the need to raise property taxes
Modernizing our infrastructure is important piece of the Biden administrationrsquos plan to ldquoBuild BackBetterrdquo Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will restore confidence with the FTA andcould potentially unlock additional federal funding opportunities
The downtown and Ala Moana rail stations will have a combined 11600 housing units as a result of theTransit Orientated Development planning and without a completed Rail project TOD and our affordablehousing goals cannot be met
Mass transit will decrease our dependance on imported oil reduce our greenhouse gas emissions andallow for the creation of walkable bikeable communities and safe streets for families
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has studied the impact of public transportation systems and rail isassociated with reductions in several health risk factors such as motor vehicle crashes air pollution andphysical inactivity
STATE HEADQUARTERS amp BUSINESS OFFICESOAIIU 1311 Hoiighiailirig SEreetHonnlulu Hawaii 96S17rsquo2711 bull Ph (808) 847-5761 Fax (808) 440-9188
111W OFFICE 525 Kilauca Avenue Room 205 Fur Hawaii 967203050 bull Ph (808) 935-8575 lOx (808) 935-8576KONA OFFICE 75-126 Lunapule RoadKajlua-Kona Hawaii 96740-2106 bull Ph (808) 329-7355 Fax (808) 326-9376
MAUI OFFICE 330 Hookahi StreetWailuku Maui 96793-1449 bull Ph (808) 2426891 Fax (808) 242-5961IA[JAI OFFICE KuIjo Medical CEr Bldg3-3295 Kuhio HwySuiteZOiLihue Kauai 96766-1040 Ph(SO8) 245-8511 Fax (808) 245-8911
A completed rail system will afford greater transportation options for Honolulu especially for seniors
and those who cannot afford the high costs of owning a vehicle
And it will enhance the quality life for leeward families who spend hours in traffic each day
Mahalo for your consideration
Nathaniel KinneynRinncyhrcc-bwflccm
MOVEOAHUFORWARD
October 6 2021
Chairman Tommy Waters and members of the Honolulu City Council
Aloha my name is Jennifer Sabas and I serve as the Executive Director of Move Oahu Forward a nonprofit organization supporting the Honolulu rail project as an integral part of a robust publictransportation system on Oahu I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish atransient accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of this amount I wouldrespectfully request that a portion be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project Thisnew revenue source a tourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both of whosewill ride the finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utility relocationalso continues Work either out to bid or ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficultsection of Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and a dedicated localrevenue source will allow for the completion of a system that will transform Oahu - Westside familieswill have the option to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending an hour+ in trafficTransit-oriented developments to include affordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances for many Oahu families
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support and look forward to a rigorousdebate and discussion in the months ahead
Aloha
Jennifer SabasExecutive DirectorMove Oahu ForwardP0 Box 1329Honolulu HI 96807
jennifermoveoahuforwardorg
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 353 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Nelisa Asato
Phone
Email nasatomatsoncomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee CouncilAgenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter SupportRepresenting Organization
Organization Matson Navigation Company IncWritten Testimony
Testimony AttachmentAccept Terms and Agreement 1
IP 19216820067
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 419 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Denise Boisvert
Phone
Email infofordeniseyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
YES I FULLY SUPPORT Bill 40 proposed by ChairWaters
Written Testimony All the requirements in the proposed bill are EXCELLENT
Mahalo to all for your kind consideration to more this billforward
Testimony Attachment
AcceptTerms and1
Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 418 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mary Kate Duggan
Phone
Email marykateelizabethduggangmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Resolution 21-234
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
Written Testimony
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and Agreement 1
lP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 423 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Kim Jorgensen
Phone
Email hawaiicondoyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on thematter
Support
Representing SelfOrganization
Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony on Bill 40 IWritten Testimonyfully SUPPORT it
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and1Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
HAwAII STATE AFL-CIO888 Mililani Street Suite 501 bull Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Randy Perreira Telephone (808)597-1441President Fax (808) 593-2149
City CouncilCity and County of Honolulu
Testimony byHawairsquoi State AFL-CIO
October 6 2021
Testimony in SUPPORT of Bill 40 Relating tothe Transient Accommodations Tax
The Hawairsquoi State AFL-CIO is a state federation of 74 affiliate local unions and councils with over68000 members across both public and private sectors We appreciate the opportunity to testify insupport of Bill 40
Of all counties in the state swift measures must be taken to mitigate the negative impact overtourismhas on Honolulursquos infrastructure Traffic congestion in Honolulu is exacerbated by the visitorindustry Establishing a three percent transient accommodations tax is key to generating the revenueneeded to invest in Orsquoahursquos public transportation system The Honolulu Rail Transit Project is apublic good that will benefit 0rsquo ahu workers residents and visitors alike by providing a publictransportation option that complements The Bus and further relieves traffic congestion where it ismost needed
We appreciate your consideration of our testimony in support of Bill 40 and strongly urge you to passthis bill
ectfullysnitted
Randy PerreiraPresident
Dion DizonQfbwtcio org
HAWAII APPLESEEDCENTER FOR LAW amp ECONOMIC JUSTTCE
Testimony of the Hawairsquoi Appleseed Center for Law and Economic JusticeSUPPORT mdash Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
City and County of HonoluluWednesday October 6 2021 10AM
Aloha Chair Waters and Councilmembers
We at Hawaii Appleseed strongly support Bill 40 and efforts to use TAT funds to complete therail project as it will dramatically increase the housing stock in TOD areas and create efficientand equitable access to transit To support the affordable housing that Oahu desperately needswe must finish the rail and provide the subsidies needed to ensure that housing is prioritized forlocal residents and stays affordable over the long-term
In addition we urge the council to provide that a fixed percentage of the TAT be allocatedto rail funding so the project can be completed in a fiscally responsible way with a securefunding stream Ideally all of the necessary funds for completion and ongoing maintenance cancome from this dedicated funding which is paid for by visitors to Oahu
Finishing the rail will enable thousands of homes to be built along the rail corridor Withappropriate affordability restrictions and public support these homes can address the severeshortage of affordable housing here on Oahu A recent 2020 study prepared by PBR Hawaii forthe Hawaii Office of Planning estimates the addition of 50900 residential units around the EastKapolei Stadium and lwilei TOD areas alone1rsquo Although these homes will be built in phasesover the next 40 years it is clear that development around rail can substantially contribute to oursupply of affordable housing According to the 2019 Hawaii Housing Planning Study Oahu willneed an additional 22168 residential units by 2025 with half of the need for households withcombined incomes of $75000 or less
Rail is needed to alleviate traffic and provide walkable neighborhoodsAs Oahu plans for the future we should be focused on housing constructed in walkable urbanneighborhoods with easy access to amenities parks and transit To support the smartaffordable and sustainable growth that is needed we should be building around rail-but first wemust complete the rail Access to rail offers an alternative to driving is likely to reduce traffic for
1 July 2020 State Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning and Implementation Project for theisland of Dahu by PBR Hawaii for the Hawaii State Office of Planning Attachment C
communities along the Leeward Coast and wHI create a more equitable way to access theurban core of Honolulu
We strongly urge the council to pass Bill 40 and to continue to work towards creating acomprehensive affordable housing strategy for the residents of Oahu Completing the rail is vitalto enable housing construction but it will take further efforts to ensure that a majority of housingis reserved for local residents and stays affordable over time
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify
Kenna Stormogipsonkennahibudgetorg
October 5 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer And Council Members
Honolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accomodation Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members
I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transient accommodations tax forthe City and County of Honolulu In addition I respectfully request a portion of this generatedtax to be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project We all realize the pastchallenges of the rail project but now have a great opportunity to position HART for a successfulcompletion of the Rail system
With the new leadership at HART I am more confident than ever that we have the managementindustry tmst transparency technical expertise and action plan required to move this projectahead This dedicated funding source which will be shouldered by our tourist will allowconstruction to continue toward a successful completion for ALL of us This will also spurTransit Oriented Deveiopment around the system to help create housing and businessopportunities in our communities
Thank you for this opportunity to submit my support for Bill 40 and to generate an additionalrevenue source for HART
Respectfully
Dexter Kubota PEVice President
dkubota bowersandkubotacom
a a aareg
aqJrsquoJ1001 Bishop Street I Suite 625 I Honolulu HI 96213-28301-866-295-7282 I Fax 808-536-2882
bull aarporghi I aarphiaarporg I twittercomAARPHawaiI
H auva i I
Honolulu City CouncilOctober 6 2021 1000 am
TO The Honorable Tommy Waters ChairpersonRE Bill 40mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the Committee
My name is Kealirsquoi Lopez and I am the State Director for AARP Hawairsquoi AARP is a membershiporganization of people age fifty and over with nearly 145000 members in HawaiiAARP Hawaii supports Bill 40 which seeks to establish transient accommodations tax (TAT) forthe City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and facilitate thereceipt and deposit of the revenue derived
We respectfully wish to add our comment and support for a dedicated percentage of the TATthat will support the mass transit project Having an ongoing dedicated source of funding willhelp pay for mass transit project the ongoing operations and maintenance of the system afterconstruction has been completed and without the need to raise property taxes
AARP has been a strong proponent of an age-friendly community that includesbull Multi-modal forms of transportation for people of all ages Rail affords another
transportation option for Honolulu especially for seniors and those who cannot affordthe high costs of owning a vehicle
bull Transit Orient Developments (TaD) with affordable housings built within walking andbiking distance of major rail stations
Bill 40 provides an opportunity for the City to modernize and complete our transportationinfrastructure Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will help restore confidencewith the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) and could potentially unlock additionalfederal funding opportunities and other public sources to finish the project Thank you for theopportunity to testify in support of Bill 40
Sincerely
lsquos--rsquo hr
Kealirsquoi Lopez State Director
klopezaarporg
BIABUILDING INDUSTRY
A S SOC AT ION ana
TESTIMONY TO THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCILHONOLULU HALE
COUNCIL CHAMBERSOctober 6 2021
900 AM
Honorable Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Council
RE Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
My name is Daryl Takamiya Chair of the Government Relations Committee of the BuildingIndustry Association of Hawaii (BIA-HawaN) Chartered in 1955 the Building IndustryAssociation of Hawaii is a professional trade organization affiliated with the National Associationof Home Builders representing the building industry and its associates BIA-HawaH takes aleadership role in unifying and promoting the interests of the industry to enhance the quality oflife for the people of Hawah Our members build the communities we all call home
BIA-Hawaii is in support of Bill 40 which would establish a transient accommodations tax for theCity and County of Honolulu specifically the portion of the bill that would provide for a depositinto the established transit fund
BIA-Hawaii continues to support the transit system on the island of Oahu because it willincrease the availability of housing as transit-oriented development communities are built Thelack of affordable housing and other quality of life issues continue to plague our communitiesImproving transportation will only help to alleviate these issues and without a completed railproject affordable housing goals will not be met Bill 40 will be an important component toensure that the transit system is brought to successful completion
We appreciate the opportunity to express our views on Sill 40
Stefanie Y Sakamotostefsakamotoconsultingcom
tamp 006-629-7501 94-487 Akoki St Ste 213 wwwbiahawakorg
fax 808-629-7701 Waipahu HI 9679 infobiahawaiiorg
From CLK Council Into
Sent Tuesday October 5 2021 657 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Stanford Masui
Phone
Email standamanniasuigmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-202 1
CouncilPHBudgetCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40
YOLIE positionOppose
on the matter
Representing Organization
Organization RAILSOS (Study Other Solutions)
Chairman Waters and members of the councilOur organization opposes this bill as written1 It assumes that a portion of the TAT will be set aside for a transit fund for the rail Thisassumption should not he made without a vigorous discussion as whether funds should hesiphoned off for a project that is no longer financially viable To put it bluntly why ldquothrowgood money after badrdquo
2 The rail is at an inflection point as to whether it should he constructed beyond its currentendpoint at Middle St or further intensive study as to viable alternatives rather thancontinuing on to Ala Moana at a prohibitive cost Past VIA administrators have urged the cityto consider modification of its plans a clear signal that additional funding may not beforthcoming
Wutten3 Transit Oriented Development is a myth Most of the buildina of condos in the KapiolaniTestimony -corridor were planned without any consideration of the rail route This is amply demonstratedby the fact that while HART struggles to come up with a funding plan and completion to AlaMoana is questionable developers are proceeding to build The numbers and actual cost ofaffordable housing in these condos are still too expensive for most people to afford Only onemajor project currently is in Ewa and that was planned years before the rail was developed
4 There are urgent issues that require immediate and priority funding homelessness and themental health system police fire and emergency services funding road and highwayimprovement and cleanup and improvement of tourist recreational areas such as parks andbeaches
5 Rather than triggering economic growth the public will be saddled with enormous debt bythe borrowed funding and operational expense estimated variously at present at $120- $150
million per year Electricity costs will cause operational expense to double This project couldbankrupt the city
6 HART should develop a funding or recovery plan before it comes to the council for aportion of TAT revenues
7 The final Environmental Impact Statement indicates only a minimal effect in alleviatingtraffic congestion which is the major argument in favor of funding the rail- The motoringpublic will not see any improvement in driving times and the studies were made years agoand are no longer reliable
The Council is urged to delete any provision that funds the rail in favor of funding otherurgent prioritiesThank you for your consideration
Te stin]on yAttachment
Accept TermsI
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 730 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Leslie M Inouye
Phone
Email Iinouyel4gmai1com
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHBuddeget
Committee
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position onOppose
the matter
Representing Self
Organization
Chairman Waters and City Council I and many others who have only recently becomeaware of Bill 40 must oppose the the use of the TAT to help fund rail It seems there are any
Writtennumber of backdoor plans to find the funds for rail despite the ongoing litany of items thateither have no clear fix andor no specific bottom line At some point you must realize thatTestimony
the rail is not a sustainable to use the popular contemporary term project and to continuepursuing this immense burden portends financial ruin for all of us Please let common senserule your decisions
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IF 19216820067
1
1 PETER A GANABANbull Business Manager
ampcretarj- Treasure
ALFONSO OlIVERPesident
JOBY NORTh IIlice President
TONI FIG(ERO4Recording Secretary
JAMES DRLrsquoMGOLD JRExecutiye Bd
ORLANDO PAESTEExecutive Board
JOSFIrsquoK jAWEsecutiw Board
ESTIIERAILA4udaor
RUSSELl NAPIIIA-4Auditor
SI lsquoIRK TRAVALINO4uJior
MAITINARAN4YDOamprgearn-dt-Arms
LIUNA Local 3681617 Palarna StreetHonolulu HI 96817
Phone (808) 841-5877Fax (808)847-7829
wiwIocaI368org
LiUNA
TESTIMONY OF THE HAWAII LABORERSrsquo UNION LOCAL 358
Honolulu City CouncilCouncil Meeting
Wednesday October 6 20211000 AM
RE Bill 40(2021) mdash RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATION TAX(TAT)
Chair Waters Vice-chair Kiarsquoaina and Council Members
The Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 and its 5000 working and retired men andwomen across the state of Hawaii stand in strong support of Bill 40(2021) whichestablishes a transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) for the City and Countyof Honolulu
The TAT funding proposed in Bill 40 would allow the City and County of Honoluluto maintain and preserve our island while mitigating the impacts of our naturalresources while also building new and existing infrastructure - including theHonolulu Rail Project This proposed measure would help generate much neededrevenue while having our island visitors help in sharing the cost
Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 respectfully requests that the council takefavorable action on this measure and support Bill 40
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony
Shingayi MasiyaGovernment Relations Director
Feel the Power
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 754 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Paul Yonamine
PhoneEmail paulyonaminecpbbank
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncil
Committee
Agenda Item Testimony and Support for Bill 40Your position
Supporton the mailer
Representing Self
Organization
Testimony and Support for Bill 40
I am Paul Yonamine Executive Chairman of Central Pacific Bank andI am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transientaccommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of thisamount I would respectfully request that a portion be set aside for thecompletion of the Honolulu rail project This new revenue source atourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both ofwhom will use and ride a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steadypace Work on utility relocation also continues Work either out to bidor ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficult section of
Written Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and aTestimony dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of a
system that wilt transform Oahu - Westside families will have theoption to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending anhourdivide in traffic Transit-oriented developments (TOD) to includeaffordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances
Rail and TOD represents the single most important economic driverfor the City and County of Honolulu and the state of Hawaii It alsopresents an invaluable opportunity for more affordable housingdevelopment for generations to come Donrsquot stop and impedeprogress of rail because of past project mismanagement We shouldmake sure the project is fully funded and that capable projectmanagers are hired positioned and empowered to complete thisproject
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support andlook forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 824 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Michael KamakaPhone
Email mkamakabowersandkubotacomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40 - Transient Accommodations TaxYour position
Supporton the matterRepresenting SelfOrganization
October 6 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer and Council MembersHonolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Sill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodation TaxDear Chair Waters and MembersPlease accept this written testimony of my support of Bill 40 toestablish a transient accommodations tax for the City and County ofHonolulu Under Sill 40
Written I believe a transient accommodations tax collects the fair and equitableTestimony amount from visitors who enjoy our City and County of Honolulu today
and in the future The tax will provide funding to mitigate impacts ofvisitors by providing money to support the restoration and maintenanceof public facilitiesAs part of the mitigation to the impacts of visitors I respectfully requesta portion of this transient accommodations tax be set aside to supportthe completion of the Honolulu rail project A rail system will helpmitigate the impacts by visitors in the Honolulu area by providing acleaner alternative of transportation thereby minimizing pollutantscaused by vehicle traffic and congestionAlthough there has been fiscal schedule and constructabilitychallenges there is a renewed hope and optimism for the completionof the rail system A renewable source of funding is the opportunity toposition HART for a successful completion of the rail system With new
1
leadership at HART I am confident HART has the people industrytrust transparency technical expertise and viable action plan neededto move this project ahead Funding through a portion of the transientaccommodation tax will provide a sustainable and dedicated fundingsource to allow construction to continueThank you for allowing me this opportunity to submit my support for Bill40Respectfully
Michael Kamaka PE Principal
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
1065 Ahua StreetHonolulu H 96819Phone 808-833-1681 FAX 839-4167Email jfbullfccedileaIigcaQia (iINERAI (lsquo()NrIAuIORS ASSOCIATION OF I IAWAIIWebsite wwwgcahawoiiore
Quality People Quality Projects
October 162021
Councilman Tommy Waters ChairMembers of the City CouncilCity amp County of the Honolulu CityHonolulu HI 96813
Re Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the City Council
The General Contractors Association of Hawaii (GCA) is an organization comprised ofapproximately five hundred (500) general contractors subcontractors and construction relatedfirms The GCA was established in 1932 and is the largest construction association in the Stateof Hawaii Our mission is to elevate Hawaiirsquos construction industry and strengthen thefoundation of our community
GCA is in STRONG SUPPORT of Bill 40 which establishes a transient accommodations taxfor the City and County of Honolulu
Of this amount we respectfully request that a portion be set aside for the completion of theI lonolulu rail project This new revenue source a tourist tax comes from our visitors rather thanour residents both of whom will use and ridc a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utilityrelocation also continues A dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of asystem that will transform Oahu Westsidc families will have the option to ride the rail to workand school rather than spending an hour-4- in traffic
Further transit-oriented developments include affordable units along the route This will helpaddress our housing shortage asll600 housing units along the downtown and Ala Moana railstations will be completed as a result of the TOD planning This creates multi-modals form oftransportation that allow for walkable bikeable communities and safe streets for families
Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony in support of Bill 40
Ryan Sakuda
ryan(gcahawaiiorg
-4rsquo
a4714rdquo t014 5n
Testimony by Harry SaundersPresident Castle amp Cooke Hawairsquoi
October 5 2021
City and County of Honolulu City CouncilRegarding
BILL 40 (2021)RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS TAX
SUPPORT WITH COMMENTS
Chair amp Presiding Officer Tommy Waters Vice Chair Esther Kiarsquoaumlina and Members of the City Council
I am Harry Saunders Presidcnt of Castle amp Cookc Hawairsquoi Thank you for the opportunity to submittcstimony regarding Bill 40 (2021)
Castic amp Cooke Hawairsquoi supports the intent of Bill 40 that will dedicate a portion of the transientaccommodations tax into a transportation fund It is critical that this bill have a fixed percentage of thetransient accommodations tax dedicated towards the funding of the rail so the city can finish the projectin a fiscally responsible way without raising property taxes and endangering our cityrsquos bond rating
Allocating a fixed percentage of the transient accommodations tax to fund the rail transit project will havelong temi benefits to visitors and kamarsquoaina alike
Rail will provide multi-modal opportunities giving residents transportation options It will help reducethe dependence on vehicles and its requisite imported oils with overall benefits to the health of ourenvironment Rail will reduce commute times for residents living in outlying communities The timethey gain back will enhance their quality of life
It also provides housing and redevelopment opportunities to communities With this redevelopmentcomes affordable housing Affordable housing planned in Transit Oriented Development for thedowntown and Ala Moana rail stations is a combined 11600 housing units
Allocating a fixed percentage of the TAT funding to Rail will pay for the ongoing operations andmaintenance of the system after construction has been completed again without the need to raiseproperty taxes
Mahalo for your consideration of my testimony Should you have any questions please feel free tocontact us
Harry Saunders Garret MatsunamiPresident Vice President Residential OperationsCastle amp Cooke Hawairsquoi Castle amp Cooke Hawairsquoifsakai(i2eastlecookeeom gmatsunamicastlecookecomPhone 548-4884 Phone 626-3625llcQmacastIecookecom
680 Iwilei Road Box 510 Honolulu Hawaii 96817Phone (808) 548-4811 Fax (808) 548-6690
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 110 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mufi HannemannPhoneEmail mhannemanncopyhawaBlodgingorgMeeting Date 10-06-2021CouncilPH
CouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40Your position
Commenton the matter
Representing Organization
Organization Hawairsquoi Lodging amp Tourism AssociationTestimony ofMufi HannemannPresident amp CEOHawaii Lodging amp Tourism Association
Honolulu City CouncilBill 40 (2021)October 6 2021
Chair Waters and members of the Honolulu City Council mahalo forthe opportunity to submit testimony on behalf of the Hawaii Lodging ampTourism Association the statersquos largest private sector visitor industryorganization
WrittenTestimony The Hawaii Lodging amp Tourism Associationmdashnearly 700 members
strong representing more than 50000 hotel rooms and nearly 40000lodging workersmdashstrongly opposed the passage of House Bill 862which among myriad other issues stripped the State TransientAccommodations Tax (TAT) allocation to the counties and allowed forup to an additional three percent surcharge to be levied on lodgingproperties The surcharge proposed by this measure represents a 29increase to the TAT that comes at a highly inopportune time for anindustry that has been drastically affected by the pandemic and travelrestrictions However with the veto override by the Legislature andthe ultimate passage of HB 862 we recognize the financial position inwhich the City amp County of Honolulu finds itself and the need todeliberate on the introduced bill As the latest version of Bill 40 (2020)does not stipulate the percentages by which the collected tax monies
will be divided between the general fund transit fund and theunnamed visitor impact fund we would like to provide comments onthe proposed measure at this time
As the vast majority of monies raised by the TATmdashand the new threepercent surchargemdashwill undoubtedly come from the pockets of visitorsit is our position that the lionrsquos share of these funds should be utilizedto address tourism related needs and the impacts created by travelersto Hawaii The opportunities in this regard are seemingly endless andcould include more routine county tasks such as road refinishing andupdates to our infrastructure but should also be used on projects moredirectly associated with tourism impacts like trail management beachand park maintenance additional support for first responders and theprovision of adequate public safety staffing at beaches and other Cityinstallations
We are all aware of the discussions currently happening in thecommunity that focus upon tourism its impact on our naturalresources and communities and the significant role it plays in oureconomy Anti-tourism sentiments are at an all-time high and both thetourism industry and the community are working to strike a finebalance that suits both residents and visitors to our home Relegatinga significant portion of funds generated by the surcharge to the tourismimpact fund would ensure that the City is appropriately addressing thevarious issues surrounding tourism with visitor dollars and would maketransparency in the process that much more likely The HawaiiTourism Authorityrsquos Destination Management Action Plan processmdashwhich aims to better manage tourism for our entire statemdashhas beencompleted for Oahu and this would be an ideal jumping off point tobegin discussion of how surcharge funds are utilized for some of theirpriorities Finally we would also like to better understand who willoversee the special tourism impact fund and ensure that said funds willbe used for their intended purposes through a transparent process
We look forward to a robust public discourse on this measure andthank you for the opportunity to provide these comments
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
Mobi[e 8084288717
c EmaH indascFarzschtzcoIlabortvecoin- lsquo- 5chatzcohaboratvecomcollaborative
October 5 2021
Via email to Honolulu City Council
SUBJECT Bill 40(2021) mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations TaxCouncil Meeting October 6 2021 1000am
Dear Council Members
I am submitting written testimony to offer comments to Bill 40
This bill must have a fixed percentage of the TAT dedicated to funding the rail to avoidraising property taxes or jeopardizing our bond rating
Irsquove been a housing advocate and developer for the last 20 years and have supported effortsto create multi-modal neighborhoods in the primary urban core If a fixed percentage of atleast half of the TAT to the county goes to rail construction operations and rail focusedactivities such as TOD it will help create ripe conditions for housing redevelopment andwalkable communities Rail is also a catalyst to begin the efforts to bring back sociallyequitable planning efforts to disadvantaged neighborhoods on Dahu Without a dedicatedsource of funding we lose so much more in terms of equitable opportunities for Oahursquoscommunity and future generations
Thank you again for the opportunity to submit this testimony If there are any questions or ifadditional information is needed please do not hesitate to contact me at (808)428-8717
Warmest Regards
Linda Schatz
Principal
HAWAII REGIONAL COUNCIL OF
CARPENTERS
October 6 2021
City Council
City amp County of Honolulu
Councilmember Tommy Waters Chair
Councilmember Esther Kiarsquoatildeina Vice Chair
Statement of the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters mdash SUPPORT for Bill 40 (2021)mdashRelating to thetransient accommodations tax
Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiarsquoatildeina and Members of the Council
The Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters would like to offer their support for Bill 40 relating to thetransient accommodations tax
Specifically this bill must contain a fixed percentage of the TAT that is dedicated to funding for rail sothe city can finish the project in fiscally responsible way without the need to raise property taxes
Dedicating a percentage of the TAT will also pay for the ongoing operations and maintenance of thesystem after construction has been completed again without the need to raise property taxes
Modernizing our infrastructure is important piece of the Biden administrationrsquos plan to ldquoBuild BackBetterrdquo Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will restore confidence with the FTA andcould potentially unlock additional federal funding opportunities
The downtown and Ala Moana rail stations will have a combined 11600 housing units as a result of theTransit Orientated Development planning and without a completed Rail project TOD and our affordablehousing goals cannot be met
Mass transit will decrease our dependance on imported oil reduce our greenhouse gas emissions andallow for the creation of walkable bikeable communities and safe streets for families
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has studied the impact of public transportation systems and rail isassociated with reductions in several health risk factors such as motor vehicle crashes air pollution andphysical inactivity
STATE HEADQUARTERS amp BUSINESS OFFICESOAIIU 1311 Hoiighiailirig SEreetHonnlulu Hawaii 96S17rsquo2711 bull Ph (808) 847-5761 Fax (808) 440-9188
111W OFFICE 525 Kilauca Avenue Room 205 Fur Hawaii 967203050 bull Ph (808) 935-8575 lOx (808) 935-8576KONA OFFICE 75-126 Lunapule RoadKajlua-Kona Hawaii 96740-2106 bull Ph (808) 329-7355 Fax (808) 326-9376
MAUI OFFICE 330 Hookahi StreetWailuku Maui 96793-1449 bull Ph (808) 2426891 Fax (808) 242-5961IA[JAI OFFICE KuIjo Medical CEr Bldg3-3295 Kuhio HwySuiteZOiLihue Kauai 96766-1040 Ph(SO8) 245-8511 Fax (808) 245-8911
A completed rail system will afford greater transportation options for Honolulu especially for seniors
and those who cannot afford the high costs of owning a vehicle
And it will enhance the quality life for leeward families who spend hours in traffic each day
Mahalo for your consideration
Nathaniel KinneynRinncyhrcc-bwflccm
MOVEOAHUFORWARD
October 6 2021
Chairman Tommy Waters and members of the Honolulu City Council
Aloha my name is Jennifer Sabas and I serve as the Executive Director of Move Oahu Forward a nonprofit organization supporting the Honolulu rail project as an integral part of a robust publictransportation system on Oahu I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish atransient accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of this amount I wouldrespectfully request that a portion be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project Thisnew revenue source a tourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both of whosewill ride the finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utility relocationalso continues Work either out to bid or ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficultsection of Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and a dedicated localrevenue source will allow for the completion of a system that will transform Oahu - Westside familieswill have the option to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending an hour+ in trafficTransit-oriented developments to include affordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances for many Oahu families
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support and look forward to a rigorousdebate and discussion in the months ahead
Aloha
Jennifer SabasExecutive DirectorMove Oahu ForwardP0 Box 1329Honolulu HI 96807
jennifermoveoahuforwardorg
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 353 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Nelisa Asato
Phone
Email nasatomatsoncomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee CouncilAgenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter SupportRepresenting Organization
Organization Matson Navigation Company IncWritten Testimony
Testimony AttachmentAccept Terms and Agreement 1
IP 19216820067
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 419 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Denise Boisvert
Phone
Email infofordeniseyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
YES I FULLY SUPPORT Bill 40 proposed by ChairWaters
Written Testimony All the requirements in the proposed bill are EXCELLENT
Mahalo to all for your kind consideration to more this billforward
Testimony Attachment
AcceptTerms and1
Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 418 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mary Kate Duggan
Phone
Email marykateelizabethduggangmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Resolution 21-234
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
Written Testimony
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and Agreement 1
lP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 423 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Kim Jorgensen
Phone
Email hawaiicondoyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on thematter
Support
Representing SelfOrganization
Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony on Bill 40 IWritten Testimonyfully SUPPORT it
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and1Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
HAwAII STATE AFL-CIO888 Mililani Street Suite 501 bull Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Randy Perreira Telephone (808)597-1441President Fax (808) 593-2149
City CouncilCity and County of Honolulu
Testimony byHawairsquoi State AFL-CIO
October 6 2021
Testimony in SUPPORT of Bill 40 Relating tothe Transient Accommodations Tax
The Hawairsquoi State AFL-CIO is a state federation of 74 affiliate local unions and councils with over68000 members across both public and private sectors We appreciate the opportunity to testify insupport of Bill 40
Of all counties in the state swift measures must be taken to mitigate the negative impact overtourismhas on Honolulursquos infrastructure Traffic congestion in Honolulu is exacerbated by the visitorindustry Establishing a three percent transient accommodations tax is key to generating the revenueneeded to invest in Orsquoahursquos public transportation system The Honolulu Rail Transit Project is apublic good that will benefit 0rsquo ahu workers residents and visitors alike by providing a publictransportation option that complements The Bus and further relieves traffic congestion where it ismost needed
We appreciate your consideration of our testimony in support of Bill 40 and strongly urge you to passthis bill
ectfullysnitted
Randy PerreiraPresident
Dion DizonQfbwtcio org
HAWAII APPLESEEDCENTER FOR LAW amp ECONOMIC JUSTTCE
Testimony of the Hawairsquoi Appleseed Center for Law and Economic JusticeSUPPORT mdash Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
City and County of HonoluluWednesday October 6 2021 10AM
Aloha Chair Waters and Councilmembers
We at Hawaii Appleseed strongly support Bill 40 and efforts to use TAT funds to complete therail project as it will dramatically increase the housing stock in TOD areas and create efficientand equitable access to transit To support the affordable housing that Oahu desperately needswe must finish the rail and provide the subsidies needed to ensure that housing is prioritized forlocal residents and stays affordable over the long-term
In addition we urge the council to provide that a fixed percentage of the TAT be allocatedto rail funding so the project can be completed in a fiscally responsible way with a securefunding stream Ideally all of the necessary funds for completion and ongoing maintenance cancome from this dedicated funding which is paid for by visitors to Oahu
Finishing the rail will enable thousands of homes to be built along the rail corridor Withappropriate affordability restrictions and public support these homes can address the severeshortage of affordable housing here on Oahu A recent 2020 study prepared by PBR Hawaii forthe Hawaii Office of Planning estimates the addition of 50900 residential units around the EastKapolei Stadium and lwilei TOD areas alone1rsquo Although these homes will be built in phasesover the next 40 years it is clear that development around rail can substantially contribute to oursupply of affordable housing According to the 2019 Hawaii Housing Planning Study Oahu willneed an additional 22168 residential units by 2025 with half of the need for households withcombined incomes of $75000 or less
Rail is needed to alleviate traffic and provide walkable neighborhoodsAs Oahu plans for the future we should be focused on housing constructed in walkable urbanneighborhoods with easy access to amenities parks and transit To support the smartaffordable and sustainable growth that is needed we should be building around rail-but first wemust complete the rail Access to rail offers an alternative to driving is likely to reduce traffic for
1 July 2020 State Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning and Implementation Project for theisland of Dahu by PBR Hawaii for the Hawaii State Office of Planning Attachment C
communities along the Leeward Coast and wHI create a more equitable way to access theurban core of Honolulu
We strongly urge the council to pass Bill 40 and to continue to work towards creating acomprehensive affordable housing strategy for the residents of Oahu Completing the rail is vitalto enable housing construction but it will take further efforts to ensure that a majority of housingis reserved for local residents and stays affordable over time
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify
Kenna Stormogipsonkennahibudgetorg
October 5 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer And Council Members
Honolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accomodation Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members
I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transient accommodations tax forthe City and County of Honolulu In addition I respectfully request a portion of this generatedtax to be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project We all realize the pastchallenges of the rail project but now have a great opportunity to position HART for a successfulcompletion of the Rail system
With the new leadership at HART I am more confident than ever that we have the managementindustry tmst transparency technical expertise and action plan required to move this projectahead This dedicated funding source which will be shouldered by our tourist will allowconstruction to continue toward a successful completion for ALL of us This will also spurTransit Oriented Deveiopment around the system to help create housing and businessopportunities in our communities
Thank you for this opportunity to submit my support for Bill 40 and to generate an additionalrevenue source for HART
Respectfully
Dexter Kubota PEVice President
dkubota bowersandkubotacom
a a aareg
aqJrsquoJ1001 Bishop Street I Suite 625 I Honolulu HI 96213-28301-866-295-7282 I Fax 808-536-2882
bull aarporghi I aarphiaarporg I twittercomAARPHawaiI
H auva i I
Honolulu City CouncilOctober 6 2021 1000 am
TO The Honorable Tommy Waters ChairpersonRE Bill 40mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the Committee
My name is Kealirsquoi Lopez and I am the State Director for AARP Hawairsquoi AARP is a membershiporganization of people age fifty and over with nearly 145000 members in HawaiiAARP Hawaii supports Bill 40 which seeks to establish transient accommodations tax (TAT) forthe City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and facilitate thereceipt and deposit of the revenue derived
We respectfully wish to add our comment and support for a dedicated percentage of the TATthat will support the mass transit project Having an ongoing dedicated source of funding willhelp pay for mass transit project the ongoing operations and maintenance of the system afterconstruction has been completed and without the need to raise property taxes
AARP has been a strong proponent of an age-friendly community that includesbull Multi-modal forms of transportation for people of all ages Rail affords another
transportation option for Honolulu especially for seniors and those who cannot affordthe high costs of owning a vehicle
bull Transit Orient Developments (TaD) with affordable housings built within walking andbiking distance of major rail stations
Bill 40 provides an opportunity for the City to modernize and complete our transportationinfrastructure Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will help restore confidencewith the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) and could potentially unlock additionalfederal funding opportunities and other public sources to finish the project Thank you for theopportunity to testify in support of Bill 40
Sincerely
lsquos--rsquo hr
Kealirsquoi Lopez State Director
klopezaarporg
BIABUILDING INDUSTRY
A S SOC AT ION ana
TESTIMONY TO THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCILHONOLULU HALE
COUNCIL CHAMBERSOctober 6 2021
900 AM
Honorable Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Council
RE Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
My name is Daryl Takamiya Chair of the Government Relations Committee of the BuildingIndustry Association of Hawaii (BIA-HawaN) Chartered in 1955 the Building IndustryAssociation of Hawaii is a professional trade organization affiliated with the National Associationof Home Builders representing the building industry and its associates BIA-HawaH takes aleadership role in unifying and promoting the interests of the industry to enhance the quality oflife for the people of Hawah Our members build the communities we all call home
BIA-Hawaii is in support of Bill 40 which would establish a transient accommodations tax for theCity and County of Honolulu specifically the portion of the bill that would provide for a depositinto the established transit fund
BIA-Hawaii continues to support the transit system on the island of Oahu because it willincrease the availability of housing as transit-oriented development communities are built Thelack of affordable housing and other quality of life issues continue to plague our communitiesImproving transportation will only help to alleviate these issues and without a completed railproject affordable housing goals will not be met Bill 40 will be an important component toensure that the transit system is brought to successful completion
We appreciate the opportunity to express our views on Sill 40
Stefanie Y Sakamotostefsakamotoconsultingcom
tamp 006-629-7501 94-487 Akoki St Ste 213 wwwbiahawakorg
fax 808-629-7701 Waipahu HI 9679 infobiahawaiiorg
From CLK Council Into
Sent Tuesday October 5 2021 657 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Stanford Masui
Phone
Email standamanniasuigmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-202 1
CouncilPHBudgetCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40
YOLIE positionOppose
on the matter
Representing Organization
Organization RAILSOS (Study Other Solutions)
Chairman Waters and members of the councilOur organization opposes this bill as written1 It assumes that a portion of the TAT will be set aside for a transit fund for the rail Thisassumption should not he made without a vigorous discussion as whether funds should hesiphoned off for a project that is no longer financially viable To put it bluntly why ldquothrowgood money after badrdquo
2 The rail is at an inflection point as to whether it should he constructed beyond its currentendpoint at Middle St or further intensive study as to viable alternatives rather thancontinuing on to Ala Moana at a prohibitive cost Past VIA administrators have urged the cityto consider modification of its plans a clear signal that additional funding may not beforthcoming
Wutten3 Transit Oriented Development is a myth Most of the buildina of condos in the KapiolaniTestimony -corridor were planned without any consideration of the rail route This is amply demonstratedby the fact that while HART struggles to come up with a funding plan and completion to AlaMoana is questionable developers are proceeding to build The numbers and actual cost ofaffordable housing in these condos are still too expensive for most people to afford Only onemajor project currently is in Ewa and that was planned years before the rail was developed
4 There are urgent issues that require immediate and priority funding homelessness and themental health system police fire and emergency services funding road and highwayimprovement and cleanup and improvement of tourist recreational areas such as parks andbeaches
5 Rather than triggering economic growth the public will be saddled with enormous debt bythe borrowed funding and operational expense estimated variously at present at $120- $150
million per year Electricity costs will cause operational expense to double This project couldbankrupt the city
6 HART should develop a funding or recovery plan before it comes to the council for aportion of TAT revenues
7 The final Environmental Impact Statement indicates only a minimal effect in alleviatingtraffic congestion which is the major argument in favor of funding the rail- The motoringpublic will not see any improvement in driving times and the studies were made years agoand are no longer reliable
The Council is urged to delete any provision that funds the rail in favor of funding otherurgent prioritiesThank you for your consideration
Te stin]on yAttachment
Accept TermsI
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 730 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Leslie M Inouye
Phone
Email Iinouyel4gmai1com
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHBuddeget
Committee
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position onOppose
the matter
Representing Self
Organization
Chairman Waters and City Council I and many others who have only recently becomeaware of Bill 40 must oppose the the use of the TAT to help fund rail It seems there are any
Writtennumber of backdoor plans to find the funds for rail despite the ongoing litany of items thateither have no clear fix andor no specific bottom line At some point you must realize thatTestimony
the rail is not a sustainable to use the popular contemporary term project and to continuepursuing this immense burden portends financial ruin for all of us Please let common senserule your decisions
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IF 19216820067
1
1 PETER A GANABANbull Business Manager
ampcretarj- Treasure
ALFONSO OlIVERPesident
JOBY NORTh IIlice President
TONI FIG(ERO4Recording Secretary
JAMES DRLrsquoMGOLD JRExecutiye Bd
ORLANDO PAESTEExecutive Board
JOSFIrsquoK jAWEsecutiw Board
ESTIIERAILA4udaor
RUSSELl NAPIIIA-4Auditor
SI lsquoIRK TRAVALINO4uJior
MAITINARAN4YDOamprgearn-dt-Arms
LIUNA Local 3681617 Palarna StreetHonolulu HI 96817
Phone (808) 841-5877Fax (808)847-7829
wiwIocaI368org
LiUNA
TESTIMONY OF THE HAWAII LABORERSrsquo UNION LOCAL 358
Honolulu City CouncilCouncil Meeting
Wednesday October 6 20211000 AM
RE Bill 40(2021) mdash RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATION TAX(TAT)
Chair Waters Vice-chair Kiarsquoaina and Council Members
The Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 and its 5000 working and retired men andwomen across the state of Hawaii stand in strong support of Bill 40(2021) whichestablishes a transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) for the City and Countyof Honolulu
The TAT funding proposed in Bill 40 would allow the City and County of Honoluluto maintain and preserve our island while mitigating the impacts of our naturalresources while also building new and existing infrastructure - including theHonolulu Rail Project This proposed measure would help generate much neededrevenue while having our island visitors help in sharing the cost
Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 respectfully requests that the council takefavorable action on this measure and support Bill 40
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony
Shingayi MasiyaGovernment Relations Director
Feel the Power
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 754 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Paul Yonamine
PhoneEmail paulyonaminecpbbank
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncil
Committee
Agenda Item Testimony and Support for Bill 40Your position
Supporton the mailer
Representing Self
Organization
Testimony and Support for Bill 40
I am Paul Yonamine Executive Chairman of Central Pacific Bank andI am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transientaccommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of thisamount I would respectfully request that a portion be set aside for thecompletion of the Honolulu rail project This new revenue source atourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both ofwhom will use and ride a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steadypace Work on utility relocation also continues Work either out to bidor ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficult section of
Written Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and aTestimony dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of a
system that wilt transform Oahu - Westside families will have theoption to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending anhourdivide in traffic Transit-oriented developments (TOD) to includeaffordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances
Rail and TOD represents the single most important economic driverfor the City and County of Honolulu and the state of Hawaii It alsopresents an invaluable opportunity for more affordable housingdevelopment for generations to come Donrsquot stop and impedeprogress of rail because of past project mismanagement We shouldmake sure the project is fully funded and that capable projectmanagers are hired positioned and empowered to complete thisproject
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support andlook forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 824 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Michael KamakaPhone
Email mkamakabowersandkubotacomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40 - Transient Accommodations TaxYour position
Supporton the matterRepresenting SelfOrganization
October 6 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer and Council MembersHonolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Sill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodation TaxDear Chair Waters and MembersPlease accept this written testimony of my support of Bill 40 toestablish a transient accommodations tax for the City and County ofHonolulu Under Sill 40
Written I believe a transient accommodations tax collects the fair and equitableTestimony amount from visitors who enjoy our City and County of Honolulu today
and in the future The tax will provide funding to mitigate impacts ofvisitors by providing money to support the restoration and maintenanceof public facilitiesAs part of the mitigation to the impacts of visitors I respectfully requesta portion of this transient accommodations tax be set aside to supportthe completion of the Honolulu rail project A rail system will helpmitigate the impacts by visitors in the Honolulu area by providing acleaner alternative of transportation thereby minimizing pollutantscaused by vehicle traffic and congestionAlthough there has been fiscal schedule and constructabilitychallenges there is a renewed hope and optimism for the completionof the rail system A renewable source of funding is the opportunity toposition HART for a successful completion of the rail system With new
1
leadership at HART I am confident HART has the people industrytrust transparency technical expertise and viable action plan neededto move this project ahead Funding through a portion of the transientaccommodation tax will provide a sustainable and dedicated fundingsource to allow construction to continueThank you for allowing me this opportunity to submit my support for Bill40Respectfully
Michael Kamaka PE Principal
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
-4rsquo
a4714rdquo t014 5n
Testimony by Harry SaundersPresident Castle amp Cooke Hawairsquoi
October 5 2021
City and County of Honolulu City CouncilRegarding
BILL 40 (2021)RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS TAX
SUPPORT WITH COMMENTS
Chair amp Presiding Officer Tommy Waters Vice Chair Esther Kiarsquoaumlina and Members of the City Council
I am Harry Saunders Presidcnt of Castle amp Cookc Hawairsquoi Thank you for the opportunity to submittcstimony regarding Bill 40 (2021)
Castic amp Cooke Hawairsquoi supports the intent of Bill 40 that will dedicate a portion of the transientaccommodations tax into a transportation fund It is critical that this bill have a fixed percentage of thetransient accommodations tax dedicated towards the funding of the rail so the city can finish the projectin a fiscally responsible way without raising property taxes and endangering our cityrsquos bond rating
Allocating a fixed percentage of the transient accommodations tax to fund the rail transit project will havelong temi benefits to visitors and kamarsquoaina alike
Rail will provide multi-modal opportunities giving residents transportation options It will help reducethe dependence on vehicles and its requisite imported oils with overall benefits to the health of ourenvironment Rail will reduce commute times for residents living in outlying communities The timethey gain back will enhance their quality of life
It also provides housing and redevelopment opportunities to communities With this redevelopmentcomes affordable housing Affordable housing planned in Transit Oriented Development for thedowntown and Ala Moana rail stations is a combined 11600 housing units
Allocating a fixed percentage of the TAT funding to Rail will pay for the ongoing operations andmaintenance of the system after construction has been completed again without the need to raiseproperty taxes
Mahalo for your consideration of my testimony Should you have any questions please feel free tocontact us
Harry Saunders Garret MatsunamiPresident Vice President Residential OperationsCastle amp Cooke Hawairsquoi Castle amp Cooke Hawairsquoifsakai(i2eastlecookeeom gmatsunamicastlecookecomPhone 548-4884 Phone 626-3625llcQmacastIecookecom
680 Iwilei Road Box 510 Honolulu Hawaii 96817Phone (808) 548-4811 Fax (808) 548-6690
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 110 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mufi HannemannPhoneEmail mhannemanncopyhawaBlodgingorgMeeting Date 10-06-2021CouncilPH
CouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40Your position
Commenton the matter
Representing Organization
Organization Hawairsquoi Lodging amp Tourism AssociationTestimony ofMufi HannemannPresident amp CEOHawaii Lodging amp Tourism Association
Honolulu City CouncilBill 40 (2021)October 6 2021
Chair Waters and members of the Honolulu City Council mahalo forthe opportunity to submit testimony on behalf of the Hawaii Lodging ampTourism Association the statersquos largest private sector visitor industryorganization
WrittenTestimony The Hawaii Lodging amp Tourism Associationmdashnearly 700 members
strong representing more than 50000 hotel rooms and nearly 40000lodging workersmdashstrongly opposed the passage of House Bill 862which among myriad other issues stripped the State TransientAccommodations Tax (TAT) allocation to the counties and allowed forup to an additional three percent surcharge to be levied on lodgingproperties The surcharge proposed by this measure represents a 29increase to the TAT that comes at a highly inopportune time for anindustry that has been drastically affected by the pandemic and travelrestrictions However with the veto override by the Legislature andthe ultimate passage of HB 862 we recognize the financial position inwhich the City amp County of Honolulu finds itself and the need todeliberate on the introduced bill As the latest version of Bill 40 (2020)does not stipulate the percentages by which the collected tax monies
will be divided between the general fund transit fund and theunnamed visitor impact fund we would like to provide comments onthe proposed measure at this time
As the vast majority of monies raised by the TATmdashand the new threepercent surchargemdashwill undoubtedly come from the pockets of visitorsit is our position that the lionrsquos share of these funds should be utilizedto address tourism related needs and the impacts created by travelersto Hawaii The opportunities in this regard are seemingly endless andcould include more routine county tasks such as road refinishing andupdates to our infrastructure but should also be used on projects moredirectly associated with tourism impacts like trail management beachand park maintenance additional support for first responders and theprovision of adequate public safety staffing at beaches and other Cityinstallations
We are all aware of the discussions currently happening in thecommunity that focus upon tourism its impact on our naturalresources and communities and the significant role it plays in oureconomy Anti-tourism sentiments are at an all-time high and both thetourism industry and the community are working to strike a finebalance that suits both residents and visitors to our home Relegatinga significant portion of funds generated by the surcharge to the tourismimpact fund would ensure that the City is appropriately addressing thevarious issues surrounding tourism with visitor dollars and would maketransparency in the process that much more likely The HawaiiTourism Authorityrsquos Destination Management Action Plan processmdashwhich aims to better manage tourism for our entire statemdashhas beencompleted for Oahu and this would be an ideal jumping off point tobegin discussion of how surcharge funds are utilized for some of theirpriorities Finally we would also like to better understand who willoversee the special tourism impact fund and ensure that said funds willbe used for their intended purposes through a transparent process
We look forward to a robust public discourse on this measure andthank you for the opportunity to provide these comments
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
Mobi[e 8084288717
c EmaH indascFarzschtzcoIlabortvecoin- lsquo- 5chatzcohaboratvecomcollaborative
October 5 2021
Via email to Honolulu City Council
SUBJECT Bill 40(2021) mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations TaxCouncil Meeting October 6 2021 1000am
Dear Council Members
I am submitting written testimony to offer comments to Bill 40
This bill must have a fixed percentage of the TAT dedicated to funding the rail to avoidraising property taxes or jeopardizing our bond rating
Irsquove been a housing advocate and developer for the last 20 years and have supported effortsto create multi-modal neighborhoods in the primary urban core If a fixed percentage of atleast half of the TAT to the county goes to rail construction operations and rail focusedactivities such as TOD it will help create ripe conditions for housing redevelopment andwalkable communities Rail is also a catalyst to begin the efforts to bring back sociallyequitable planning efforts to disadvantaged neighborhoods on Dahu Without a dedicatedsource of funding we lose so much more in terms of equitable opportunities for Oahursquoscommunity and future generations
Thank you again for the opportunity to submit this testimony If there are any questions or ifadditional information is needed please do not hesitate to contact me at (808)428-8717
Warmest Regards
Linda Schatz
Principal
HAWAII REGIONAL COUNCIL OF
CARPENTERS
October 6 2021
City Council
City amp County of Honolulu
Councilmember Tommy Waters Chair
Councilmember Esther Kiarsquoatildeina Vice Chair
Statement of the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters mdash SUPPORT for Bill 40 (2021)mdashRelating to thetransient accommodations tax
Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiarsquoatildeina and Members of the Council
The Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters would like to offer their support for Bill 40 relating to thetransient accommodations tax
Specifically this bill must contain a fixed percentage of the TAT that is dedicated to funding for rail sothe city can finish the project in fiscally responsible way without the need to raise property taxes
Dedicating a percentage of the TAT will also pay for the ongoing operations and maintenance of thesystem after construction has been completed again without the need to raise property taxes
Modernizing our infrastructure is important piece of the Biden administrationrsquos plan to ldquoBuild BackBetterrdquo Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will restore confidence with the FTA andcould potentially unlock additional federal funding opportunities
The downtown and Ala Moana rail stations will have a combined 11600 housing units as a result of theTransit Orientated Development planning and without a completed Rail project TOD and our affordablehousing goals cannot be met
Mass transit will decrease our dependance on imported oil reduce our greenhouse gas emissions andallow for the creation of walkable bikeable communities and safe streets for families
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has studied the impact of public transportation systems and rail isassociated with reductions in several health risk factors such as motor vehicle crashes air pollution andphysical inactivity
STATE HEADQUARTERS amp BUSINESS OFFICESOAIIU 1311 Hoiighiailirig SEreetHonnlulu Hawaii 96S17rsquo2711 bull Ph (808) 847-5761 Fax (808) 440-9188
111W OFFICE 525 Kilauca Avenue Room 205 Fur Hawaii 967203050 bull Ph (808) 935-8575 lOx (808) 935-8576KONA OFFICE 75-126 Lunapule RoadKajlua-Kona Hawaii 96740-2106 bull Ph (808) 329-7355 Fax (808) 326-9376
MAUI OFFICE 330 Hookahi StreetWailuku Maui 96793-1449 bull Ph (808) 2426891 Fax (808) 242-5961IA[JAI OFFICE KuIjo Medical CEr Bldg3-3295 Kuhio HwySuiteZOiLihue Kauai 96766-1040 Ph(SO8) 245-8511 Fax (808) 245-8911
A completed rail system will afford greater transportation options for Honolulu especially for seniors
and those who cannot afford the high costs of owning a vehicle
And it will enhance the quality life for leeward families who spend hours in traffic each day
Mahalo for your consideration
Nathaniel KinneynRinncyhrcc-bwflccm
MOVEOAHUFORWARD
October 6 2021
Chairman Tommy Waters and members of the Honolulu City Council
Aloha my name is Jennifer Sabas and I serve as the Executive Director of Move Oahu Forward a nonprofit organization supporting the Honolulu rail project as an integral part of a robust publictransportation system on Oahu I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish atransient accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of this amount I wouldrespectfully request that a portion be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project Thisnew revenue source a tourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both of whosewill ride the finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utility relocationalso continues Work either out to bid or ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficultsection of Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and a dedicated localrevenue source will allow for the completion of a system that will transform Oahu - Westside familieswill have the option to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending an hour+ in trafficTransit-oriented developments to include affordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances for many Oahu families
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support and look forward to a rigorousdebate and discussion in the months ahead
Aloha
Jennifer SabasExecutive DirectorMove Oahu ForwardP0 Box 1329Honolulu HI 96807
jennifermoveoahuforwardorg
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 353 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Nelisa Asato
Phone
Email nasatomatsoncomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee CouncilAgenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter SupportRepresenting Organization
Organization Matson Navigation Company IncWritten Testimony
Testimony AttachmentAccept Terms and Agreement 1
IP 19216820067
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 419 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Denise Boisvert
Phone
Email infofordeniseyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
YES I FULLY SUPPORT Bill 40 proposed by ChairWaters
Written Testimony All the requirements in the proposed bill are EXCELLENT
Mahalo to all for your kind consideration to more this billforward
Testimony Attachment
AcceptTerms and1
Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 418 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mary Kate Duggan
Phone
Email marykateelizabethduggangmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Resolution 21-234
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
Written Testimony
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and Agreement 1
lP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 423 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Kim Jorgensen
Phone
Email hawaiicondoyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on thematter
Support
Representing SelfOrganization
Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony on Bill 40 IWritten Testimonyfully SUPPORT it
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and1Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
HAwAII STATE AFL-CIO888 Mililani Street Suite 501 bull Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Randy Perreira Telephone (808)597-1441President Fax (808) 593-2149
City CouncilCity and County of Honolulu
Testimony byHawairsquoi State AFL-CIO
October 6 2021
Testimony in SUPPORT of Bill 40 Relating tothe Transient Accommodations Tax
The Hawairsquoi State AFL-CIO is a state federation of 74 affiliate local unions and councils with over68000 members across both public and private sectors We appreciate the opportunity to testify insupport of Bill 40
Of all counties in the state swift measures must be taken to mitigate the negative impact overtourismhas on Honolulursquos infrastructure Traffic congestion in Honolulu is exacerbated by the visitorindustry Establishing a three percent transient accommodations tax is key to generating the revenueneeded to invest in Orsquoahursquos public transportation system The Honolulu Rail Transit Project is apublic good that will benefit 0rsquo ahu workers residents and visitors alike by providing a publictransportation option that complements The Bus and further relieves traffic congestion where it ismost needed
We appreciate your consideration of our testimony in support of Bill 40 and strongly urge you to passthis bill
ectfullysnitted
Randy PerreiraPresident
Dion DizonQfbwtcio org
HAWAII APPLESEEDCENTER FOR LAW amp ECONOMIC JUSTTCE
Testimony of the Hawairsquoi Appleseed Center for Law and Economic JusticeSUPPORT mdash Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
City and County of HonoluluWednesday October 6 2021 10AM
Aloha Chair Waters and Councilmembers
We at Hawaii Appleseed strongly support Bill 40 and efforts to use TAT funds to complete therail project as it will dramatically increase the housing stock in TOD areas and create efficientand equitable access to transit To support the affordable housing that Oahu desperately needswe must finish the rail and provide the subsidies needed to ensure that housing is prioritized forlocal residents and stays affordable over the long-term
In addition we urge the council to provide that a fixed percentage of the TAT be allocatedto rail funding so the project can be completed in a fiscally responsible way with a securefunding stream Ideally all of the necessary funds for completion and ongoing maintenance cancome from this dedicated funding which is paid for by visitors to Oahu
Finishing the rail will enable thousands of homes to be built along the rail corridor Withappropriate affordability restrictions and public support these homes can address the severeshortage of affordable housing here on Oahu A recent 2020 study prepared by PBR Hawaii forthe Hawaii Office of Planning estimates the addition of 50900 residential units around the EastKapolei Stadium and lwilei TOD areas alone1rsquo Although these homes will be built in phasesover the next 40 years it is clear that development around rail can substantially contribute to oursupply of affordable housing According to the 2019 Hawaii Housing Planning Study Oahu willneed an additional 22168 residential units by 2025 with half of the need for households withcombined incomes of $75000 or less
Rail is needed to alleviate traffic and provide walkable neighborhoodsAs Oahu plans for the future we should be focused on housing constructed in walkable urbanneighborhoods with easy access to amenities parks and transit To support the smartaffordable and sustainable growth that is needed we should be building around rail-but first wemust complete the rail Access to rail offers an alternative to driving is likely to reduce traffic for
1 July 2020 State Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning and Implementation Project for theisland of Dahu by PBR Hawaii for the Hawaii State Office of Planning Attachment C
communities along the Leeward Coast and wHI create a more equitable way to access theurban core of Honolulu
We strongly urge the council to pass Bill 40 and to continue to work towards creating acomprehensive affordable housing strategy for the residents of Oahu Completing the rail is vitalto enable housing construction but it will take further efforts to ensure that a majority of housingis reserved for local residents and stays affordable over time
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify
Kenna Stormogipsonkennahibudgetorg
October 5 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer And Council Members
Honolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accomodation Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members
I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transient accommodations tax forthe City and County of Honolulu In addition I respectfully request a portion of this generatedtax to be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project We all realize the pastchallenges of the rail project but now have a great opportunity to position HART for a successfulcompletion of the Rail system
With the new leadership at HART I am more confident than ever that we have the managementindustry tmst transparency technical expertise and action plan required to move this projectahead This dedicated funding source which will be shouldered by our tourist will allowconstruction to continue toward a successful completion for ALL of us This will also spurTransit Oriented Deveiopment around the system to help create housing and businessopportunities in our communities
Thank you for this opportunity to submit my support for Bill 40 and to generate an additionalrevenue source for HART
Respectfully
Dexter Kubota PEVice President
dkubota bowersandkubotacom
a a aareg
aqJrsquoJ1001 Bishop Street I Suite 625 I Honolulu HI 96213-28301-866-295-7282 I Fax 808-536-2882
bull aarporghi I aarphiaarporg I twittercomAARPHawaiI
H auva i I
Honolulu City CouncilOctober 6 2021 1000 am
TO The Honorable Tommy Waters ChairpersonRE Bill 40mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the Committee
My name is Kealirsquoi Lopez and I am the State Director for AARP Hawairsquoi AARP is a membershiporganization of people age fifty and over with nearly 145000 members in HawaiiAARP Hawaii supports Bill 40 which seeks to establish transient accommodations tax (TAT) forthe City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and facilitate thereceipt and deposit of the revenue derived
We respectfully wish to add our comment and support for a dedicated percentage of the TATthat will support the mass transit project Having an ongoing dedicated source of funding willhelp pay for mass transit project the ongoing operations and maintenance of the system afterconstruction has been completed and without the need to raise property taxes
AARP has been a strong proponent of an age-friendly community that includesbull Multi-modal forms of transportation for people of all ages Rail affords another
transportation option for Honolulu especially for seniors and those who cannot affordthe high costs of owning a vehicle
bull Transit Orient Developments (TaD) with affordable housings built within walking andbiking distance of major rail stations
Bill 40 provides an opportunity for the City to modernize and complete our transportationinfrastructure Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will help restore confidencewith the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) and could potentially unlock additionalfederal funding opportunities and other public sources to finish the project Thank you for theopportunity to testify in support of Bill 40
Sincerely
lsquos--rsquo hr
Kealirsquoi Lopez State Director
klopezaarporg
BIABUILDING INDUSTRY
A S SOC AT ION ana
TESTIMONY TO THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCILHONOLULU HALE
COUNCIL CHAMBERSOctober 6 2021
900 AM
Honorable Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Council
RE Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
My name is Daryl Takamiya Chair of the Government Relations Committee of the BuildingIndustry Association of Hawaii (BIA-HawaN) Chartered in 1955 the Building IndustryAssociation of Hawaii is a professional trade organization affiliated with the National Associationof Home Builders representing the building industry and its associates BIA-HawaH takes aleadership role in unifying and promoting the interests of the industry to enhance the quality oflife for the people of Hawah Our members build the communities we all call home
BIA-Hawaii is in support of Bill 40 which would establish a transient accommodations tax for theCity and County of Honolulu specifically the portion of the bill that would provide for a depositinto the established transit fund
BIA-Hawaii continues to support the transit system on the island of Oahu because it willincrease the availability of housing as transit-oriented development communities are built Thelack of affordable housing and other quality of life issues continue to plague our communitiesImproving transportation will only help to alleviate these issues and without a completed railproject affordable housing goals will not be met Bill 40 will be an important component toensure that the transit system is brought to successful completion
We appreciate the opportunity to express our views on Sill 40
Stefanie Y Sakamotostefsakamotoconsultingcom
tamp 006-629-7501 94-487 Akoki St Ste 213 wwwbiahawakorg
fax 808-629-7701 Waipahu HI 9679 infobiahawaiiorg
From CLK Council Into
Sent Tuesday October 5 2021 657 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Stanford Masui
Phone
Email standamanniasuigmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-202 1
CouncilPHBudgetCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40
YOLIE positionOppose
on the matter
Representing Organization
Organization RAILSOS (Study Other Solutions)
Chairman Waters and members of the councilOur organization opposes this bill as written1 It assumes that a portion of the TAT will be set aside for a transit fund for the rail Thisassumption should not he made without a vigorous discussion as whether funds should hesiphoned off for a project that is no longer financially viable To put it bluntly why ldquothrowgood money after badrdquo
2 The rail is at an inflection point as to whether it should he constructed beyond its currentendpoint at Middle St or further intensive study as to viable alternatives rather thancontinuing on to Ala Moana at a prohibitive cost Past VIA administrators have urged the cityto consider modification of its plans a clear signal that additional funding may not beforthcoming
Wutten3 Transit Oriented Development is a myth Most of the buildina of condos in the KapiolaniTestimony -corridor were planned without any consideration of the rail route This is amply demonstratedby the fact that while HART struggles to come up with a funding plan and completion to AlaMoana is questionable developers are proceeding to build The numbers and actual cost ofaffordable housing in these condos are still too expensive for most people to afford Only onemajor project currently is in Ewa and that was planned years before the rail was developed
4 There are urgent issues that require immediate and priority funding homelessness and themental health system police fire and emergency services funding road and highwayimprovement and cleanup and improvement of tourist recreational areas such as parks andbeaches
5 Rather than triggering economic growth the public will be saddled with enormous debt bythe borrowed funding and operational expense estimated variously at present at $120- $150
million per year Electricity costs will cause operational expense to double This project couldbankrupt the city
6 HART should develop a funding or recovery plan before it comes to the council for aportion of TAT revenues
7 The final Environmental Impact Statement indicates only a minimal effect in alleviatingtraffic congestion which is the major argument in favor of funding the rail- The motoringpublic will not see any improvement in driving times and the studies were made years agoand are no longer reliable
The Council is urged to delete any provision that funds the rail in favor of funding otherurgent prioritiesThank you for your consideration
Te stin]on yAttachment
Accept TermsI
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 730 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Leslie M Inouye
Phone
Email Iinouyel4gmai1com
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHBuddeget
Committee
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position onOppose
the matter
Representing Self
Organization
Chairman Waters and City Council I and many others who have only recently becomeaware of Bill 40 must oppose the the use of the TAT to help fund rail It seems there are any
Writtennumber of backdoor plans to find the funds for rail despite the ongoing litany of items thateither have no clear fix andor no specific bottom line At some point you must realize thatTestimony
the rail is not a sustainable to use the popular contemporary term project and to continuepursuing this immense burden portends financial ruin for all of us Please let common senserule your decisions
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IF 19216820067
1
1 PETER A GANABANbull Business Manager
ampcretarj- Treasure
ALFONSO OlIVERPesident
JOBY NORTh IIlice President
TONI FIG(ERO4Recording Secretary
JAMES DRLrsquoMGOLD JRExecutiye Bd
ORLANDO PAESTEExecutive Board
JOSFIrsquoK jAWEsecutiw Board
ESTIIERAILA4udaor
RUSSELl NAPIIIA-4Auditor
SI lsquoIRK TRAVALINO4uJior
MAITINARAN4YDOamprgearn-dt-Arms
LIUNA Local 3681617 Palarna StreetHonolulu HI 96817
Phone (808) 841-5877Fax (808)847-7829
wiwIocaI368org
LiUNA
TESTIMONY OF THE HAWAII LABORERSrsquo UNION LOCAL 358
Honolulu City CouncilCouncil Meeting
Wednesday October 6 20211000 AM
RE Bill 40(2021) mdash RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATION TAX(TAT)
Chair Waters Vice-chair Kiarsquoaina and Council Members
The Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 and its 5000 working and retired men andwomen across the state of Hawaii stand in strong support of Bill 40(2021) whichestablishes a transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) for the City and Countyof Honolulu
The TAT funding proposed in Bill 40 would allow the City and County of Honoluluto maintain and preserve our island while mitigating the impacts of our naturalresources while also building new and existing infrastructure - including theHonolulu Rail Project This proposed measure would help generate much neededrevenue while having our island visitors help in sharing the cost
Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 respectfully requests that the council takefavorable action on this measure and support Bill 40
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony
Shingayi MasiyaGovernment Relations Director
Feel the Power
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 754 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Paul Yonamine
PhoneEmail paulyonaminecpbbank
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncil
Committee
Agenda Item Testimony and Support for Bill 40Your position
Supporton the mailer
Representing Self
Organization
Testimony and Support for Bill 40
I am Paul Yonamine Executive Chairman of Central Pacific Bank andI am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transientaccommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of thisamount I would respectfully request that a portion be set aside for thecompletion of the Honolulu rail project This new revenue source atourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both ofwhom will use and ride a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steadypace Work on utility relocation also continues Work either out to bidor ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficult section of
Written Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and aTestimony dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of a
system that wilt transform Oahu - Westside families will have theoption to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending anhourdivide in traffic Transit-oriented developments (TOD) to includeaffordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances
Rail and TOD represents the single most important economic driverfor the City and County of Honolulu and the state of Hawaii It alsopresents an invaluable opportunity for more affordable housingdevelopment for generations to come Donrsquot stop and impedeprogress of rail because of past project mismanagement We shouldmake sure the project is fully funded and that capable projectmanagers are hired positioned and empowered to complete thisproject
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support andlook forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 824 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Michael KamakaPhone
Email mkamakabowersandkubotacomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40 - Transient Accommodations TaxYour position
Supporton the matterRepresenting SelfOrganization
October 6 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer and Council MembersHonolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Sill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodation TaxDear Chair Waters and MembersPlease accept this written testimony of my support of Bill 40 toestablish a transient accommodations tax for the City and County ofHonolulu Under Sill 40
Written I believe a transient accommodations tax collects the fair and equitableTestimony amount from visitors who enjoy our City and County of Honolulu today
and in the future The tax will provide funding to mitigate impacts ofvisitors by providing money to support the restoration and maintenanceof public facilitiesAs part of the mitigation to the impacts of visitors I respectfully requesta portion of this transient accommodations tax be set aside to supportthe completion of the Honolulu rail project A rail system will helpmitigate the impacts by visitors in the Honolulu area by providing acleaner alternative of transportation thereby minimizing pollutantscaused by vehicle traffic and congestionAlthough there has been fiscal schedule and constructabilitychallenges there is a renewed hope and optimism for the completionof the rail system A renewable source of funding is the opportunity toposition HART for a successful completion of the rail system With new
1
leadership at HART I am confident HART has the people industrytrust transparency technical expertise and viable action plan neededto move this project ahead Funding through a portion of the transientaccommodation tax will provide a sustainable and dedicated fundingsource to allow construction to continueThank you for allowing me this opportunity to submit my support for Bill40Respectfully
Michael Kamaka PE Principal
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 110 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mufi HannemannPhoneEmail mhannemanncopyhawaBlodgingorgMeeting Date 10-06-2021CouncilPH
CouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40Your position
Commenton the matter
Representing Organization
Organization Hawairsquoi Lodging amp Tourism AssociationTestimony ofMufi HannemannPresident amp CEOHawaii Lodging amp Tourism Association
Honolulu City CouncilBill 40 (2021)October 6 2021
Chair Waters and members of the Honolulu City Council mahalo forthe opportunity to submit testimony on behalf of the Hawaii Lodging ampTourism Association the statersquos largest private sector visitor industryorganization
WrittenTestimony The Hawaii Lodging amp Tourism Associationmdashnearly 700 members
strong representing more than 50000 hotel rooms and nearly 40000lodging workersmdashstrongly opposed the passage of House Bill 862which among myriad other issues stripped the State TransientAccommodations Tax (TAT) allocation to the counties and allowed forup to an additional three percent surcharge to be levied on lodgingproperties The surcharge proposed by this measure represents a 29increase to the TAT that comes at a highly inopportune time for anindustry that has been drastically affected by the pandemic and travelrestrictions However with the veto override by the Legislature andthe ultimate passage of HB 862 we recognize the financial position inwhich the City amp County of Honolulu finds itself and the need todeliberate on the introduced bill As the latest version of Bill 40 (2020)does not stipulate the percentages by which the collected tax monies
will be divided between the general fund transit fund and theunnamed visitor impact fund we would like to provide comments onthe proposed measure at this time
As the vast majority of monies raised by the TATmdashand the new threepercent surchargemdashwill undoubtedly come from the pockets of visitorsit is our position that the lionrsquos share of these funds should be utilizedto address tourism related needs and the impacts created by travelersto Hawaii The opportunities in this regard are seemingly endless andcould include more routine county tasks such as road refinishing andupdates to our infrastructure but should also be used on projects moredirectly associated with tourism impacts like trail management beachand park maintenance additional support for first responders and theprovision of adequate public safety staffing at beaches and other Cityinstallations
We are all aware of the discussions currently happening in thecommunity that focus upon tourism its impact on our naturalresources and communities and the significant role it plays in oureconomy Anti-tourism sentiments are at an all-time high and both thetourism industry and the community are working to strike a finebalance that suits both residents and visitors to our home Relegatinga significant portion of funds generated by the surcharge to the tourismimpact fund would ensure that the City is appropriately addressing thevarious issues surrounding tourism with visitor dollars and would maketransparency in the process that much more likely The HawaiiTourism Authorityrsquos Destination Management Action Plan processmdashwhich aims to better manage tourism for our entire statemdashhas beencompleted for Oahu and this would be an ideal jumping off point tobegin discussion of how surcharge funds are utilized for some of theirpriorities Finally we would also like to better understand who willoversee the special tourism impact fund and ensure that said funds willbe used for their intended purposes through a transparent process
We look forward to a robust public discourse on this measure andthank you for the opportunity to provide these comments
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
Mobi[e 8084288717
c EmaH indascFarzschtzcoIlabortvecoin- lsquo- 5chatzcohaboratvecomcollaborative
October 5 2021
Via email to Honolulu City Council
SUBJECT Bill 40(2021) mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations TaxCouncil Meeting October 6 2021 1000am
Dear Council Members
I am submitting written testimony to offer comments to Bill 40
This bill must have a fixed percentage of the TAT dedicated to funding the rail to avoidraising property taxes or jeopardizing our bond rating
Irsquove been a housing advocate and developer for the last 20 years and have supported effortsto create multi-modal neighborhoods in the primary urban core If a fixed percentage of atleast half of the TAT to the county goes to rail construction operations and rail focusedactivities such as TOD it will help create ripe conditions for housing redevelopment andwalkable communities Rail is also a catalyst to begin the efforts to bring back sociallyequitable planning efforts to disadvantaged neighborhoods on Dahu Without a dedicatedsource of funding we lose so much more in terms of equitable opportunities for Oahursquoscommunity and future generations
Thank you again for the opportunity to submit this testimony If there are any questions or ifadditional information is needed please do not hesitate to contact me at (808)428-8717
Warmest Regards
Linda Schatz
Principal
HAWAII REGIONAL COUNCIL OF
CARPENTERS
October 6 2021
City Council
City amp County of Honolulu
Councilmember Tommy Waters Chair
Councilmember Esther Kiarsquoatildeina Vice Chair
Statement of the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters mdash SUPPORT for Bill 40 (2021)mdashRelating to thetransient accommodations tax
Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiarsquoatildeina and Members of the Council
The Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters would like to offer their support for Bill 40 relating to thetransient accommodations tax
Specifically this bill must contain a fixed percentage of the TAT that is dedicated to funding for rail sothe city can finish the project in fiscally responsible way without the need to raise property taxes
Dedicating a percentage of the TAT will also pay for the ongoing operations and maintenance of thesystem after construction has been completed again without the need to raise property taxes
Modernizing our infrastructure is important piece of the Biden administrationrsquos plan to ldquoBuild BackBetterrdquo Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will restore confidence with the FTA andcould potentially unlock additional federal funding opportunities
The downtown and Ala Moana rail stations will have a combined 11600 housing units as a result of theTransit Orientated Development planning and without a completed Rail project TOD and our affordablehousing goals cannot be met
Mass transit will decrease our dependance on imported oil reduce our greenhouse gas emissions andallow for the creation of walkable bikeable communities and safe streets for families
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has studied the impact of public transportation systems and rail isassociated with reductions in several health risk factors such as motor vehicle crashes air pollution andphysical inactivity
STATE HEADQUARTERS amp BUSINESS OFFICESOAIIU 1311 Hoiighiailirig SEreetHonnlulu Hawaii 96S17rsquo2711 bull Ph (808) 847-5761 Fax (808) 440-9188
111W OFFICE 525 Kilauca Avenue Room 205 Fur Hawaii 967203050 bull Ph (808) 935-8575 lOx (808) 935-8576KONA OFFICE 75-126 Lunapule RoadKajlua-Kona Hawaii 96740-2106 bull Ph (808) 329-7355 Fax (808) 326-9376
MAUI OFFICE 330 Hookahi StreetWailuku Maui 96793-1449 bull Ph (808) 2426891 Fax (808) 242-5961IA[JAI OFFICE KuIjo Medical CEr Bldg3-3295 Kuhio HwySuiteZOiLihue Kauai 96766-1040 Ph(SO8) 245-8511 Fax (808) 245-8911
A completed rail system will afford greater transportation options for Honolulu especially for seniors
and those who cannot afford the high costs of owning a vehicle
And it will enhance the quality life for leeward families who spend hours in traffic each day
Mahalo for your consideration
Nathaniel KinneynRinncyhrcc-bwflccm
MOVEOAHUFORWARD
October 6 2021
Chairman Tommy Waters and members of the Honolulu City Council
Aloha my name is Jennifer Sabas and I serve as the Executive Director of Move Oahu Forward a nonprofit organization supporting the Honolulu rail project as an integral part of a robust publictransportation system on Oahu I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish atransient accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of this amount I wouldrespectfully request that a portion be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project Thisnew revenue source a tourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both of whosewill ride the finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utility relocationalso continues Work either out to bid or ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficultsection of Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and a dedicated localrevenue source will allow for the completion of a system that will transform Oahu - Westside familieswill have the option to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending an hour+ in trafficTransit-oriented developments to include affordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances for many Oahu families
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support and look forward to a rigorousdebate and discussion in the months ahead
Aloha
Jennifer SabasExecutive DirectorMove Oahu ForwardP0 Box 1329Honolulu HI 96807
jennifermoveoahuforwardorg
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 353 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Nelisa Asato
Phone
Email nasatomatsoncomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee CouncilAgenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter SupportRepresenting Organization
Organization Matson Navigation Company IncWritten Testimony
Testimony AttachmentAccept Terms and Agreement 1
IP 19216820067
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 419 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Denise Boisvert
Phone
Email infofordeniseyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
YES I FULLY SUPPORT Bill 40 proposed by ChairWaters
Written Testimony All the requirements in the proposed bill are EXCELLENT
Mahalo to all for your kind consideration to more this billforward
Testimony Attachment
AcceptTerms and1
Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 418 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mary Kate Duggan
Phone
Email marykateelizabethduggangmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Resolution 21-234
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
Written Testimony
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and Agreement 1
lP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 423 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Kim Jorgensen
Phone
Email hawaiicondoyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on thematter
Support
Representing SelfOrganization
Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony on Bill 40 IWritten Testimonyfully SUPPORT it
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and1Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
HAwAII STATE AFL-CIO888 Mililani Street Suite 501 bull Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Randy Perreira Telephone (808)597-1441President Fax (808) 593-2149
City CouncilCity and County of Honolulu
Testimony byHawairsquoi State AFL-CIO
October 6 2021
Testimony in SUPPORT of Bill 40 Relating tothe Transient Accommodations Tax
The Hawairsquoi State AFL-CIO is a state federation of 74 affiliate local unions and councils with over68000 members across both public and private sectors We appreciate the opportunity to testify insupport of Bill 40
Of all counties in the state swift measures must be taken to mitigate the negative impact overtourismhas on Honolulursquos infrastructure Traffic congestion in Honolulu is exacerbated by the visitorindustry Establishing a three percent transient accommodations tax is key to generating the revenueneeded to invest in Orsquoahursquos public transportation system The Honolulu Rail Transit Project is apublic good that will benefit 0rsquo ahu workers residents and visitors alike by providing a publictransportation option that complements The Bus and further relieves traffic congestion where it ismost needed
We appreciate your consideration of our testimony in support of Bill 40 and strongly urge you to passthis bill
ectfullysnitted
Randy PerreiraPresident
Dion DizonQfbwtcio org
HAWAII APPLESEEDCENTER FOR LAW amp ECONOMIC JUSTTCE
Testimony of the Hawairsquoi Appleseed Center for Law and Economic JusticeSUPPORT mdash Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
City and County of HonoluluWednesday October 6 2021 10AM
Aloha Chair Waters and Councilmembers
We at Hawaii Appleseed strongly support Bill 40 and efforts to use TAT funds to complete therail project as it will dramatically increase the housing stock in TOD areas and create efficientand equitable access to transit To support the affordable housing that Oahu desperately needswe must finish the rail and provide the subsidies needed to ensure that housing is prioritized forlocal residents and stays affordable over the long-term
In addition we urge the council to provide that a fixed percentage of the TAT be allocatedto rail funding so the project can be completed in a fiscally responsible way with a securefunding stream Ideally all of the necessary funds for completion and ongoing maintenance cancome from this dedicated funding which is paid for by visitors to Oahu
Finishing the rail will enable thousands of homes to be built along the rail corridor Withappropriate affordability restrictions and public support these homes can address the severeshortage of affordable housing here on Oahu A recent 2020 study prepared by PBR Hawaii forthe Hawaii Office of Planning estimates the addition of 50900 residential units around the EastKapolei Stadium and lwilei TOD areas alone1rsquo Although these homes will be built in phasesover the next 40 years it is clear that development around rail can substantially contribute to oursupply of affordable housing According to the 2019 Hawaii Housing Planning Study Oahu willneed an additional 22168 residential units by 2025 with half of the need for households withcombined incomes of $75000 or less
Rail is needed to alleviate traffic and provide walkable neighborhoodsAs Oahu plans for the future we should be focused on housing constructed in walkable urbanneighborhoods with easy access to amenities parks and transit To support the smartaffordable and sustainable growth that is needed we should be building around rail-but first wemust complete the rail Access to rail offers an alternative to driving is likely to reduce traffic for
1 July 2020 State Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning and Implementation Project for theisland of Dahu by PBR Hawaii for the Hawaii State Office of Planning Attachment C
communities along the Leeward Coast and wHI create a more equitable way to access theurban core of Honolulu
We strongly urge the council to pass Bill 40 and to continue to work towards creating acomprehensive affordable housing strategy for the residents of Oahu Completing the rail is vitalto enable housing construction but it will take further efforts to ensure that a majority of housingis reserved for local residents and stays affordable over time
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify
Kenna Stormogipsonkennahibudgetorg
October 5 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer And Council Members
Honolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accomodation Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members
I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transient accommodations tax forthe City and County of Honolulu In addition I respectfully request a portion of this generatedtax to be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project We all realize the pastchallenges of the rail project but now have a great opportunity to position HART for a successfulcompletion of the Rail system
With the new leadership at HART I am more confident than ever that we have the managementindustry tmst transparency technical expertise and action plan required to move this projectahead This dedicated funding source which will be shouldered by our tourist will allowconstruction to continue toward a successful completion for ALL of us This will also spurTransit Oriented Deveiopment around the system to help create housing and businessopportunities in our communities
Thank you for this opportunity to submit my support for Bill 40 and to generate an additionalrevenue source for HART
Respectfully
Dexter Kubota PEVice President
dkubota bowersandkubotacom
a a aareg
aqJrsquoJ1001 Bishop Street I Suite 625 I Honolulu HI 96213-28301-866-295-7282 I Fax 808-536-2882
bull aarporghi I aarphiaarporg I twittercomAARPHawaiI
H auva i I
Honolulu City CouncilOctober 6 2021 1000 am
TO The Honorable Tommy Waters ChairpersonRE Bill 40mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the Committee
My name is Kealirsquoi Lopez and I am the State Director for AARP Hawairsquoi AARP is a membershiporganization of people age fifty and over with nearly 145000 members in HawaiiAARP Hawaii supports Bill 40 which seeks to establish transient accommodations tax (TAT) forthe City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and facilitate thereceipt and deposit of the revenue derived
We respectfully wish to add our comment and support for a dedicated percentage of the TATthat will support the mass transit project Having an ongoing dedicated source of funding willhelp pay for mass transit project the ongoing operations and maintenance of the system afterconstruction has been completed and without the need to raise property taxes
AARP has been a strong proponent of an age-friendly community that includesbull Multi-modal forms of transportation for people of all ages Rail affords another
transportation option for Honolulu especially for seniors and those who cannot affordthe high costs of owning a vehicle
bull Transit Orient Developments (TaD) with affordable housings built within walking andbiking distance of major rail stations
Bill 40 provides an opportunity for the City to modernize and complete our transportationinfrastructure Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will help restore confidencewith the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) and could potentially unlock additionalfederal funding opportunities and other public sources to finish the project Thank you for theopportunity to testify in support of Bill 40
Sincerely
lsquos--rsquo hr
Kealirsquoi Lopez State Director
klopezaarporg
BIABUILDING INDUSTRY
A S SOC AT ION ana
TESTIMONY TO THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCILHONOLULU HALE
COUNCIL CHAMBERSOctober 6 2021
900 AM
Honorable Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Council
RE Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
My name is Daryl Takamiya Chair of the Government Relations Committee of the BuildingIndustry Association of Hawaii (BIA-HawaN) Chartered in 1955 the Building IndustryAssociation of Hawaii is a professional trade organization affiliated with the National Associationof Home Builders representing the building industry and its associates BIA-HawaH takes aleadership role in unifying and promoting the interests of the industry to enhance the quality oflife for the people of Hawah Our members build the communities we all call home
BIA-Hawaii is in support of Bill 40 which would establish a transient accommodations tax for theCity and County of Honolulu specifically the portion of the bill that would provide for a depositinto the established transit fund
BIA-Hawaii continues to support the transit system on the island of Oahu because it willincrease the availability of housing as transit-oriented development communities are built Thelack of affordable housing and other quality of life issues continue to plague our communitiesImproving transportation will only help to alleviate these issues and without a completed railproject affordable housing goals will not be met Bill 40 will be an important component toensure that the transit system is brought to successful completion
We appreciate the opportunity to express our views on Sill 40
Stefanie Y Sakamotostefsakamotoconsultingcom
tamp 006-629-7501 94-487 Akoki St Ste 213 wwwbiahawakorg
fax 808-629-7701 Waipahu HI 9679 infobiahawaiiorg
From CLK Council Into
Sent Tuesday October 5 2021 657 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Stanford Masui
Phone
Email standamanniasuigmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-202 1
CouncilPHBudgetCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40
YOLIE positionOppose
on the matter
Representing Organization
Organization RAILSOS (Study Other Solutions)
Chairman Waters and members of the councilOur organization opposes this bill as written1 It assumes that a portion of the TAT will be set aside for a transit fund for the rail Thisassumption should not he made without a vigorous discussion as whether funds should hesiphoned off for a project that is no longer financially viable To put it bluntly why ldquothrowgood money after badrdquo
2 The rail is at an inflection point as to whether it should he constructed beyond its currentendpoint at Middle St or further intensive study as to viable alternatives rather thancontinuing on to Ala Moana at a prohibitive cost Past VIA administrators have urged the cityto consider modification of its plans a clear signal that additional funding may not beforthcoming
Wutten3 Transit Oriented Development is a myth Most of the buildina of condos in the KapiolaniTestimony -corridor were planned without any consideration of the rail route This is amply demonstratedby the fact that while HART struggles to come up with a funding plan and completion to AlaMoana is questionable developers are proceeding to build The numbers and actual cost ofaffordable housing in these condos are still too expensive for most people to afford Only onemajor project currently is in Ewa and that was planned years before the rail was developed
4 There are urgent issues that require immediate and priority funding homelessness and themental health system police fire and emergency services funding road and highwayimprovement and cleanup and improvement of tourist recreational areas such as parks andbeaches
5 Rather than triggering economic growth the public will be saddled with enormous debt bythe borrowed funding and operational expense estimated variously at present at $120- $150
million per year Electricity costs will cause operational expense to double This project couldbankrupt the city
6 HART should develop a funding or recovery plan before it comes to the council for aportion of TAT revenues
7 The final Environmental Impact Statement indicates only a minimal effect in alleviatingtraffic congestion which is the major argument in favor of funding the rail- The motoringpublic will not see any improvement in driving times and the studies were made years agoand are no longer reliable
The Council is urged to delete any provision that funds the rail in favor of funding otherurgent prioritiesThank you for your consideration
Te stin]on yAttachment
Accept TermsI
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 730 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Leslie M Inouye
Phone
Email Iinouyel4gmai1com
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHBuddeget
Committee
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position onOppose
the matter
Representing Self
Organization
Chairman Waters and City Council I and many others who have only recently becomeaware of Bill 40 must oppose the the use of the TAT to help fund rail It seems there are any
Writtennumber of backdoor plans to find the funds for rail despite the ongoing litany of items thateither have no clear fix andor no specific bottom line At some point you must realize thatTestimony
the rail is not a sustainable to use the popular contemporary term project and to continuepursuing this immense burden portends financial ruin for all of us Please let common senserule your decisions
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IF 19216820067
1
1 PETER A GANABANbull Business Manager
ampcretarj- Treasure
ALFONSO OlIVERPesident
JOBY NORTh IIlice President
TONI FIG(ERO4Recording Secretary
JAMES DRLrsquoMGOLD JRExecutiye Bd
ORLANDO PAESTEExecutive Board
JOSFIrsquoK jAWEsecutiw Board
ESTIIERAILA4udaor
RUSSELl NAPIIIA-4Auditor
SI lsquoIRK TRAVALINO4uJior
MAITINARAN4YDOamprgearn-dt-Arms
LIUNA Local 3681617 Palarna StreetHonolulu HI 96817
Phone (808) 841-5877Fax (808)847-7829
wiwIocaI368org
LiUNA
TESTIMONY OF THE HAWAII LABORERSrsquo UNION LOCAL 358
Honolulu City CouncilCouncil Meeting
Wednesday October 6 20211000 AM
RE Bill 40(2021) mdash RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATION TAX(TAT)
Chair Waters Vice-chair Kiarsquoaina and Council Members
The Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 and its 5000 working and retired men andwomen across the state of Hawaii stand in strong support of Bill 40(2021) whichestablishes a transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) for the City and Countyof Honolulu
The TAT funding proposed in Bill 40 would allow the City and County of Honoluluto maintain and preserve our island while mitigating the impacts of our naturalresources while also building new and existing infrastructure - including theHonolulu Rail Project This proposed measure would help generate much neededrevenue while having our island visitors help in sharing the cost
Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 respectfully requests that the council takefavorable action on this measure and support Bill 40
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony
Shingayi MasiyaGovernment Relations Director
Feel the Power
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 754 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Paul Yonamine
PhoneEmail paulyonaminecpbbank
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncil
Committee
Agenda Item Testimony and Support for Bill 40Your position
Supporton the mailer
Representing Self
Organization
Testimony and Support for Bill 40
I am Paul Yonamine Executive Chairman of Central Pacific Bank andI am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transientaccommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of thisamount I would respectfully request that a portion be set aside for thecompletion of the Honolulu rail project This new revenue source atourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both ofwhom will use and ride a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steadypace Work on utility relocation also continues Work either out to bidor ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficult section of
Written Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and aTestimony dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of a
system that wilt transform Oahu - Westside families will have theoption to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending anhourdivide in traffic Transit-oriented developments (TOD) to includeaffordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances
Rail and TOD represents the single most important economic driverfor the City and County of Honolulu and the state of Hawaii It alsopresents an invaluable opportunity for more affordable housingdevelopment for generations to come Donrsquot stop and impedeprogress of rail because of past project mismanagement We shouldmake sure the project is fully funded and that capable projectmanagers are hired positioned and empowered to complete thisproject
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support andlook forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 824 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Michael KamakaPhone
Email mkamakabowersandkubotacomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40 - Transient Accommodations TaxYour position
Supporton the matterRepresenting SelfOrganization
October 6 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer and Council MembersHonolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Sill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodation TaxDear Chair Waters and MembersPlease accept this written testimony of my support of Bill 40 toestablish a transient accommodations tax for the City and County ofHonolulu Under Sill 40
Written I believe a transient accommodations tax collects the fair and equitableTestimony amount from visitors who enjoy our City and County of Honolulu today
and in the future The tax will provide funding to mitigate impacts ofvisitors by providing money to support the restoration and maintenanceof public facilitiesAs part of the mitigation to the impacts of visitors I respectfully requesta portion of this transient accommodations tax be set aside to supportthe completion of the Honolulu rail project A rail system will helpmitigate the impacts by visitors in the Honolulu area by providing acleaner alternative of transportation thereby minimizing pollutantscaused by vehicle traffic and congestionAlthough there has been fiscal schedule and constructabilitychallenges there is a renewed hope and optimism for the completionof the rail system A renewable source of funding is the opportunity toposition HART for a successful completion of the rail system With new
1
leadership at HART I am confident HART has the people industrytrust transparency technical expertise and viable action plan neededto move this project ahead Funding through a portion of the transientaccommodation tax will provide a sustainable and dedicated fundingsource to allow construction to continueThank you for allowing me this opportunity to submit my support for Bill40Respectfully
Michael Kamaka PE Principal
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
will be divided between the general fund transit fund and theunnamed visitor impact fund we would like to provide comments onthe proposed measure at this time
As the vast majority of monies raised by the TATmdashand the new threepercent surchargemdashwill undoubtedly come from the pockets of visitorsit is our position that the lionrsquos share of these funds should be utilizedto address tourism related needs and the impacts created by travelersto Hawaii The opportunities in this regard are seemingly endless andcould include more routine county tasks such as road refinishing andupdates to our infrastructure but should also be used on projects moredirectly associated with tourism impacts like trail management beachand park maintenance additional support for first responders and theprovision of adequate public safety staffing at beaches and other Cityinstallations
We are all aware of the discussions currently happening in thecommunity that focus upon tourism its impact on our naturalresources and communities and the significant role it plays in oureconomy Anti-tourism sentiments are at an all-time high and both thetourism industry and the community are working to strike a finebalance that suits both residents and visitors to our home Relegatinga significant portion of funds generated by the surcharge to the tourismimpact fund would ensure that the City is appropriately addressing thevarious issues surrounding tourism with visitor dollars and would maketransparency in the process that much more likely The HawaiiTourism Authorityrsquos Destination Management Action Plan processmdashwhich aims to better manage tourism for our entire statemdashhas beencompleted for Oahu and this would be an ideal jumping off point tobegin discussion of how surcharge funds are utilized for some of theirpriorities Finally we would also like to better understand who willoversee the special tourism impact fund and ensure that said funds willbe used for their intended purposes through a transparent process
We look forward to a robust public discourse on this measure andthank you for the opportunity to provide these comments
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
Mobi[e 8084288717
c EmaH indascFarzschtzcoIlabortvecoin- lsquo- 5chatzcohaboratvecomcollaborative
October 5 2021
Via email to Honolulu City Council
SUBJECT Bill 40(2021) mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations TaxCouncil Meeting October 6 2021 1000am
Dear Council Members
I am submitting written testimony to offer comments to Bill 40
This bill must have a fixed percentage of the TAT dedicated to funding the rail to avoidraising property taxes or jeopardizing our bond rating
Irsquove been a housing advocate and developer for the last 20 years and have supported effortsto create multi-modal neighborhoods in the primary urban core If a fixed percentage of atleast half of the TAT to the county goes to rail construction operations and rail focusedactivities such as TOD it will help create ripe conditions for housing redevelopment andwalkable communities Rail is also a catalyst to begin the efforts to bring back sociallyequitable planning efforts to disadvantaged neighborhoods on Dahu Without a dedicatedsource of funding we lose so much more in terms of equitable opportunities for Oahursquoscommunity and future generations
Thank you again for the opportunity to submit this testimony If there are any questions or ifadditional information is needed please do not hesitate to contact me at (808)428-8717
Warmest Regards
Linda Schatz
Principal
HAWAII REGIONAL COUNCIL OF
CARPENTERS
October 6 2021
City Council
City amp County of Honolulu
Councilmember Tommy Waters Chair
Councilmember Esther Kiarsquoatildeina Vice Chair
Statement of the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters mdash SUPPORT for Bill 40 (2021)mdashRelating to thetransient accommodations tax
Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiarsquoatildeina and Members of the Council
The Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters would like to offer their support for Bill 40 relating to thetransient accommodations tax
Specifically this bill must contain a fixed percentage of the TAT that is dedicated to funding for rail sothe city can finish the project in fiscally responsible way without the need to raise property taxes
Dedicating a percentage of the TAT will also pay for the ongoing operations and maintenance of thesystem after construction has been completed again without the need to raise property taxes
Modernizing our infrastructure is important piece of the Biden administrationrsquos plan to ldquoBuild BackBetterrdquo Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will restore confidence with the FTA andcould potentially unlock additional federal funding opportunities
The downtown and Ala Moana rail stations will have a combined 11600 housing units as a result of theTransit Orientated Development planning and without a completed Rail project TOD and our affordablehousing goals cannot be met
Mass transit will decrease our dependance on imported oil reduce our greenhouse gas emissions andallow for the creation of walkable bikeable communities and safe streets for families
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has studied the impact of public transportation systems and rail isassociated with reductions in several health risk factors such as motor vehicle crashes air pollution andphysical inactivity
STATE HEADQUARTERS amp BUSINESS OFFICESOAIIU 1311 Hoiighiailirig SEreetHonnlulu Hawaii 96S17rsquo2711 bull Ph (808) 847-5761 Fax (808) 440-9188
111W OFFICE 525 Kilauca Avenue Room 205 Fur Hawaii 967203050 bull Ph (808) 935-8575 lOx (808) 935-8576KONA OFFICE 75-126 Lunapule RoadKajlua-Kona Hawaii 96740-2106 bull Ph (808) 329-7355 Fax (808) 326-9376
MAUI OFFICE 330 Hookahi StreetWailuku Maui 96793-1449 bull Ph (808) 2426891 Fax (808) 242-5961IA[JAI OFFICE KuIjo Medical CEr Bldg3-3295 Kuhio HwySuiteZOiLihue Kauai 96766-1040 Ph(SO8) 245-8511 Fax (808) 245-8911
A completed rail system will afford greater transportation options for Honolulu especially for seniors
and those who cannot afford the high costs of owning a vehicle
And it will enhance the quality life for leeward families who spend hours in traffic each day
Mahalo for your consideration
Nathaniel KinneynRinncyhrcc-bwflccm
MOVEOAHUFORWARD
October 6 2021
Chairman Tommy Waters and members of the Honolulu City Council
Aloha my name is Jennifer Sabas and I serve as the Executive Director of Move Oahu Forward a nonprofit organization supporting the Honolulu rail project as an integral part of a robust publictransportation system on Oahu I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish atransient accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of this amount I wouldrespectfully request that a portion be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project Thisnew revenue source a tourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both of whosewill ride the finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utility relocationalso continues Work either out to bid or ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficultsection of Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and a dedicated localrevenue source will allow for the completion of a system that will transform Oahu - Westside familieswill have the option to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending an hour+ in trafficTransit-oriented developments to include affordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances for many Oahu families
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support and look forward to a rigorousdebate and discussion in the months ahead
Aloha
Jennifer SabasExecutive DirectorMove Oahu ForwardP0 Box 1329Honolulu HI 96807
jennifermoveoahuforwardorg
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 353 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Nelisa Asato
Phone
Email nasatomatsoncomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee CouncilAgenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter SupportRepresenting Organization
Organization Matson Navigation Company IncWritten Testimony
Testimony AttachmentAccept Terms and Agreement 1
IP 19216820067
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 419 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Denise Boisvert
Phone
Email infofordeniseyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
YES I FULLY SUPPORT Bill 40 proposed by ChairWaters
Written Testimony All the requirements in the proposed bill are EXCELLENT
Mahalo to all for your kind consideration to more this billforward
Testimony Attachment
AcceptTerms and1
Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 418 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mary Kate Duggan
Phone
Email marykateelizabethduggangmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Resolution 21-234
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
Written Testimony
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and Agreement 1
lP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 423 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Kim Jorgensen
Phone
Email hawaiicondoyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on thematter
Support
Representing SelfOrganization
Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony on Bill 40 IWritten Testimonyfully SUPPORT it
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and1Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
HAwAII STATE AFL-CIO888 Mililani Street Suite 501 bull Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Randy Perreira Telephone (808)597-1441President Fax (808) 593-2149
City CouncilCity and County of Honolulu
Testimony byHawairsquoi State AFL-CIO
October 6 2021
Testimony in SUPPORT of Bill 40 Relating tothe Transient Accommodations Tax
The Hawairsquoi State AFL-CIO is a state federation of 74 affiliate local unions and councils with over68000 members across both public and private sectors We appreciate the opportunity to testify insupport of Bill 40
Of all counties in the state swift measures must be taken to mitigate the negative impact overtourismhas on Honolulursquos infrastructure Traffic congestion in Honolulu is exacerbated by the visitorindustry Establishing a three percent transient accommodations tax is key to generating the revenueneeded to invest in Orsquoahursquos public transportation system The Honolulu Rail Transit Project is apublic good that will benefit 0rsquo ahu workers residents and visitors alike by providing a publictransportation option that complements The Bus and further relieves traffic congestion where it ismost needed
We appreciate your consideration of our testimony in support of Bill 40 and strongly urge you to passthis bill
ectfullysnitted
Randy PerreiraPresident
Dion DizonQfbwtcio org
HAWAII APPLESEEDCENTER FOR LAW amp ECONOMIC JUSTTCE
Testimony of the Hawairsquoi Appleseed Center for Law and Economic JusticeSUPPORT mdash Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
City and County of HonoluluWednesday October 6 2021 10AM
Aloha Chair Waters and Councilmembers
We at Hawaii Appleseed strongly support Bill 40 and efforts to use TAT funds to complete therail project as it will dramatically increase the housing stock in TOD areas and create efficientand equitable access to transit To support the affordable housing that Oahu desperately needswe must finish the rail and provide the subsidies needed to ensure that housing is prioritized forlocal residents and stays affordable over the long-term
In addition we urge the council to provide that a fixed percentage of the TAT be allocatedto rail funding so the project can be completed in a fiscally responsible way with a securefunding stream Ideally all of the necessary funds for completion and ongoing maintenance cancome from this dedicated funding which is paid for by visitors to Oahu
Finishing the rail will enable thousands of homes to be built along the rail corridor Withappropriate affordability restrictions and public support these homes can address the severeshortage of affordable housing here on Oahu A recent 2020 study prepared by PBR Hawaii forthe Hawaii Office of Planning estimates the addition of 50900 residential units around the EastKapolei Stadium and lwilei TOD areas alone1rsquo Although these homes will be built in phasesover the next 40 years it is clear that development around rail can substantially contribute to oursupply of affordable housing According to the 2019 Hawaii Housing Planning Study Oahu willneed an additional 22168 residential units by 2025 with half of the need for households withcombined incomes of $75000 or less
Rail is needed to alleviate traffic and provide walkable neighborhoodsAs Oahu plans for the future we should be focused on housing constructed in walkable urbanneighborhoods with easy access to amenities parks and transit To support the smartaffordable and sustainable growth that is needed we should be building around rail-but first wemust complete the rail Access to rail offers an alternative to driving is likely to reduce traffic for
1 July 2020 State Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning and Implementation Project for theisland of Dahu by PBR Hawaii for the Hawaii State Office of Planning Attachment C
communities along the Leeward Coast and wHI create a more equitable way to access theurban core of Honolulu
We strongly urge the council to pass Bill 40 and to continue to work towards creating acomprehensive affordable housing strategy for the residents of Oahu Completing the rail is vitalto enable housing construction but it will take further efforts to ensure that a majority of housingis reserved for local residents and stays affordable over time
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify
Kenna Stormogipsonkennahibudgetorg
October 5 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer And Council Members
Honolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accomodation Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members
I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transient accommodations tax forthe City and County of Honolulu In addition I respectfully request a portion of this generatedtax to be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project We all realize the pastchallenges of the rail project but now have a great opportunity to position HART for a successfulcompletion of the Rail system
With the new leadership at HART I am more confident than ever that we have the managementindustry tmst transparency technical expertise and action plan required to move this projectahead This dedicated funding source which will be shouldered by our tourist will allowconstruction to continue toward a successful completion for ALL of us This will also spurTransit Oriented Deveiopment around the system to help create housing and businessopportunities in our communities
Thank you for this opportunity to submit my support for Bill 40 and to generate an additionalrevenue source for HART
Respectfully
Dexter Kubota PEVice President
dkubota bowersandkubotacom
a a aareg
aqJrsquoJ1001 Bishop Street I Suite 625 I Honolulu HI 96213-28301-866-295-7282 I Fax 808-536-2882
bull aarporghi I aarphiaarporg I twittercomAARPHawaiI
H auva i I
Honolulu City CouncilOctober 6 2021 1000 am
TO The Honorable Tommy Waters ChairpersonRE Bill 40mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the Committee
My name is Kealirsquoi Lopez and I am the State Director for AARP Hawairsquoi AARP is a membershiporganization of people age fifty and over with nearly 145000 members in HawaiiAARP Hawaii supports Bill 40 which seeks to establish transient accommodations tax (TAT) forthe City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and facilitate thereceipt and deposit of the revenue derived
We respectfully wish to add our comment and support for a dedicated percentage of the TATthat will support the mass transit project Having an ongoing dedicated source of funding willhelp pay for mass transit project the ongoing operations and maintenance of the system afterconstruction has been completed and without the need to raise property taxes
AARP has been a strong proponent of an age-friendly community that includesbull Multi-modal forms of transportation for people of all ages Rail affords another
transportation option for Honolulu especially for seniors and those who cannot affordthe high costs of owning a vehicle
bull Transit Orient Developments (TaD) with affordable housings built within walking andbiking distance of major rail stations
Bill 40 provides an opportunity for the City to modernize and complete our transportationinfrastructure Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will help restore confidencewith the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) and could potentially unlock additionalfederal funding opportunities and other public sources to finish the project Thank you for theopportunity to testify in support of Bill 40
Sincerely
lsquos--rsquo hr
Kealirsquoi Lopez State Director
klopezaarporg
BIABUILDING INDUSTRY
A S SOC AT ION ana
TESTIMONY TO THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCILHONOLULU HALE
COUNCIL CHAMBERSOctober 6 2021
900 AM
Honorable Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Council
RE Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
My name is Daryl Takamiya Chair of the Government Relations Committee of the BuildingIndustry Association of Hawaii (BIA-HawaN) Chartered in 1955 the Building IndustryAssociation of Hawaii is a professional trade organization affiliated with the National Associationof Home Builders representing the building industry and its associates BIA-HawaH takes aleadership role in unifying and promoting the interests of the industry to enhance the quality oflife for the people of Hawah Our members build the communities we all call home
BIA-Hawaii is in support of Bill 40 which would establish a transient accommodations tax for theCity and County of Honolulu specifically the portion of the bill that would provide for a depositinto the established transit fund
BIA-Hawaii continues to support the transit system on the island of Oahu because it willincrease the availability of housing as transit-oriented development communities are built Thelack of affordable housing and other quality of life issues continue to plague our communitiesImproving transportation will only help to alleviate these issues and without a completed railproject affordable housing goals will not be met Bill 40 will be an important component toensure that the transit system is brought to successful completion
We appreciate the opportunity to express our views on Sill 40
Stefanie Y Sakamotostefsakamotoconsultingcom
tamp 006-629-7501 94-487 Akoki St Ste 213 wwwbiahawakorg
fax 808-629-7701 Waipahu HI 9679 infobiahawaiiorg
From CLK Council Into
Sent Tuesday October 5 2021 657 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Stanford Masui
Phone
Email standamanniasuigmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-202 1
CouncilPHBudgetCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40
YOLIE positionOppose
on the matter
Representing Organization
Organization RAILSOS (Study Other Solutions)
Chairman Waters and members of the councilOur organization opposes this bill as written1 It assumes that a portion of the TAT will be set aside for a transit fund for the rail Thisassumption should not he made without a vigorous discussion as whether funds should hesiphoned off for a project that is no longer financially viable To put it bluntly why ldquothrowgood money after badrdquo
2 The rail is at an inflection point as to whether it should he constructed beyond its currentendpoint at Middle St or further intensive study as to viable alternatives rather thancontinuing on to Ala Moana at a prohibitive cost Past VIA administrators have urged the cityto consider modification of its plans a clear signal that additional funding may not beforthcoming
Wutten3 Transit Oriented Development is a myth Most of the buildina of condos in the KapiolaniTestimony -corridor were planned without any consideration of the rail route This is amply demonstratedby the fact that while HART struggles to come up with a funding plan and completion to AlaMoana is questionable developers are proceeding to build The numbers and actual cost ofaffordable housing in these condos are still too expensive for most people to afford Only onemajor project currently is in Ewa and that was planned years before the rail was developed
4 There are urgent issues that require immediate and priority funding homelessness and themental health system police fire and emergency services funding road and highwayimprovement and cleanup and improvement of tourist recreational areas such as parks andbeaches
5 Rather than triggering economic growth the public will be saddled with enormous debt bythe borrowed funding and operational expense estimated variously at present at $120- $150
million per year Electricity costs will cause operational expense to double This project couldbankrupt the city
6 HART should develop a funding or recovery plan before it comes to the council for aportion of TAT revenues
7 The final Environmental Impact Statement indicates only a minimal effect in alleviatingtraffic congestion which is the major argument in favor of funding the rail- The motoringpublic will not see any improvement in driving times and the studies were made years agoand are no longer reliable
The Council is urged to delete any provision that funds the rail in favor of funding otherurgent prioritiesThank you for your consideration
Te stin]on yAttachment
Accept TermsI
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 730 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Leslie M Inouye
Phone
Email Iinouyel4gmai1com
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHBuddeget
Committee
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position onOppose
the matter
Representing Self
Organization
Chairman Waters and City Council I and many others who have only recently becomeaware of Bill 40 must oppose the the use of the TAT to help fund rail It seems there are any
Writtennumber of backdoor plans to find the funds for rail despite the ongoing litany of items thateither have no clear fix andor no specific bottom line At some point you must realize thatTestimony
the rail is not a sustainable to use the popular contemporary term project and to continuepursuing this immense burden portends financial ruin for all of us Please let common senserule your decisions
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IF 19216820067
1
1 PETER A GANABANbull Business Manager
ampcretarj- Treasure
ALFONSO OlIVERPesident
JOBY NORTh IIlice President
TONI FIG(ERO4Recording Secretary
JAMES DRLrsquoMGOLD JRExecutiye Bd
ORLANDO PAESTEExecutive Board
JOSFIrsquoK jAWEsecutiw Board
ESTIIERAILA4udaor
RUSSELl NAPIIIA-4Auditor
SI lsquoIRK TRAVALINO4uJior
MAITINARAN4YDOamprgearn-dt-Arms
LIUNA Local 3681617 Palarna StreetHonolulu HI 96817
Phone (808) 841-5877Fax (808)847-7829
wiwIocaI368org
LiUNA
TESTIMONY OF THE HAWAII LABORERSrsquo UNION LOCAL 358
Honolulu City CouncilCouncil Meeting
Wednesday October 6 20211000 AM
RE Bill 40(2021) mdash RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATION TAX(TAT)
Chair Waters Vice-chair Kiarsquoaina and Council Members
The Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 and its 5000 working and retired men andwomen across the state of Hawaii stand in strong support of Bill 40(2021) whichestablishes a transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) for the City and Countyof Honolulu
The TAT funding proposed in Bill 40 would allow the City and County of Honoluluto maintain and preserve our island while mitigating the impacts of our naturalresources while also building new and existing infrastructure - including theHonolulu Rail Project This proposed measure would help generate much neededrevenue while having our island visitors help in sharing the cost
Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 respectfully requests that the council takefavorable action on this measure and support Bill 40
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony
Shingayi MasiyaGovernment Relations Director
Feel the Power
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 754 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Paul Yonamine
PhoneEmail paulyonaminecpbbank
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncil
Committee
Agenda Item Testimony and Support for Bill 40Your position
Supporton the mailer
Representing Self
Organization
Testimony and Support for Bill 40
I am Paul Yonamine Executive Chairman of Central Pacific Bank andI am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transientaccommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of thisamount I would respectfully request that a portion be set aside for thecompletion of the Honolulu rail project This new revenue source atourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both ofwhom will use and ride a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steadypace Work on utility relocation also continues Work either out to bidor ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficult section of
Written Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and aTestimony dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of a
system that wilt transform Oahu - Westside families will have theoption to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending anhourdivide in traffic Transit-oriented developments (TOD) to includeaffordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances
Rail and TOD represents the single most important economic driverfor the City and County of Honolulu and the state of Hawaii It alsopresents an invaluable opportunity for more affordable housingdevelopment for generations to come Donrsquot stop and impedeprogress of rail because of past project mismanagement We shouldmake sure the project is fully funded and that capable projectmanagers are hired positioned and empowered to complete thisproject
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support andlook forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 824 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Michael KamakaPhone
Email mkamakabowersandkubotacomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40 - Transient Accommodations TaxYour position
Supporton the matterRepresenting SelfOrganization
October 6 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer and Council MembersHonolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Sill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodation TaxDear Chair Waters and MembersPlease accept this written testimony of my support of Bill 40 toestablish a transient accommodations tax for the City and County ofHonolulu Under Sill 40
Written I believe a transient accommodations tax collects the fair and equitableTestimony amount from visitors who enjoy our City and County of Honolulu today
and in the future The tax will provide funding to mitigate impacts ofvisitors by providing money to support the restoration and maintenanceof public facilitiesAs part of the mitigation to the impacts of visitors I respectfully requesta portion of this transient accommodations tax be set aside to supportthe completion of the Honolulu rail project A rail system will helpmitigate the impacts by visitors in the Honolulu area by providing acleaner alternative of transportation thereby minimizing pollutantscaused by vehicle traffic and congestionAlthough there has been fiscal schedule and constructabilitychallenges there is a renewed hope and optimism for the completionof the rail system A renewable source of funding is the opportunity toposition HART for a successful completion of the rail system With new
1
leadership at HART I am confident HART has the people industrytrust transparency technical expertise and viable action plan neededto move this project ahead Funding through a portion of the transientaccommodation tax will provide a sustainable and dedicated fundingsource to allow construction to continueThank you for allowing me this opportunity to submit my support for Bill40Respectfully
Michael Kamaka PE Principal
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
Mobi[e 8084288717
c EmaH indascFarzschtzcoIlabortvecoin- lsquo- 5chatzcohaboratvecomcollaborative
October 5 2021
Via email to Honolulu City Council
SUBJECT Bill 40(2021) mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations TaxCouncil Meeting October 6 2021 1000am
Dear Council Members
I am submitting written testimony to offer comments to Bill 40
This bill must have a fixed percentage of the TAT dedicated to funding the rail to avoidraising property taxes or jeopardizing our bond rating
Irsquove been a housing advocate and developer for the last 20 years and have supported effortsto create multi-modal neighborhoods in the primary urban core If a fixed percentage of atleast half of the TAT to the county goes to rail construction operations and rail focusedactivities such as TOD it will help create ripe conditions for housing redevelopment andwalkable communities Rail is also a catalyst to begin the efforts to bring back sociallyequitable planning efforts to disadvantaged neighborhoods on Dahu Without a dedicatedsource of funding we lose so much more in terms of equitable opportunities for Oahursquoscommunity and future generations
Thank you again for the opportunity to submit this testimony If there are any questions or ifadditional information is needed please do not hesitate to contact me at (808)428-8717
Warmest Regards
Linda Schatz
Principal
HAWAII REGIONAL COUNCIL OF
CARPENTERS
October 6 2021
City Council
City amp County of Honolulu
Councilmember Tommy Waters Chair
Councilmember Esther Kiarsquoatildeina Vice Chair
Statement of the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters mdash SUPPORT for Bill 40 (2021)mdashRelating to thetransient accommodations tax
Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiarsquoatildeina and Members of the Council
The Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters would like to offer their support for Bill 40 relating to thetransient accommodations tax
Specifically this bill must contain a fixed percentage of the TAT that is dedicated to funding for rail sothe city can finish the project in fiscally responsible way without the need to raise property taxes
Dedicating a percentage of the TAT will also pay for the ongoing operations and maintenance of thesystem after construction has been completed again without the need to raise property taxes
Modernizing our infrastructure is important piece of the Biden administrationrsquos plan to ldquoBuild BackBetterrdquo Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will restore confidence with the FTA andcould potentially unlock additional federal funding opportunities
The downtown and Ala Moana rail stations will have a combined 11600 housing units as a result of theTransit Orientated Development planning and without a completed Rail project TOD and our affordablehousing goals cannot be met
Mass transit will decrease our dependance on imported oil reduce our greenhouse gas emissions andallow for the creation of walkable bikeable communities and safe streets for families
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has studied the impact of public transportation systems and rail isassociated with reductions in several health risk factors such as motor vehicle crashes air pollution andphysical inactivity
STATE HEADQUARTERS amp BUSINESS OFFICESOAIIU 1311 Hoiighiailirig SEreetHonnlulu Hawaii 96S17rsquo2711 bull Ph (808) 847-5761 Fax (808) 440-9188
111W OFFICE 525 Kilauca Avenue Room 205 Fur Hawaii 967203050 bull Ph (808) 935-8575 lOx (808) 935-8576KONA OFFICE 75-126 Lunapule RoadKajlua-Kona Hawaii 96740-2106 bull Ph (808) 329-7355 Fax (808) 326-9376
MAUI OFFICE 330 Hookahi StreetWailuku Maui 96793-1449 bull Ph (808) 2426891 Fax (808) 242-5961IA[JAI OFFICE KuIjo Medical CEr Bldg3-3295 Kuhio HwySuiteZOiLihue Kauai 96766-1040 Ph(SO8) 245-8511 Fax (808) 245-8911
A completed rail system will afford greater transportation options for Honolulu especially for seniors
and those who cannot afford the high costs of owning a vehicle
And it will enhance the quality life for leeward families who spend hours in traffic each day
Mahalo for your consideration
Nathaniel KinneynRinncyhrcc-bwflccm
MOVEOAHUFORWARD
October 6 2021
Chairman Tommy Waters and members of the Honolulu City Council
Aloha my name is Jennifer Sabas and I serve as the Executive Director of Move Oahu Forward a nonprofit organization supporting the Honolulu rail project as an integral part of a robust publictransportation system on Oahu I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish atransient accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of this amount I wouldrespectfully request that a portion be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project Thisnew revenue source a tourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both of whosewill ride the finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utility relocationalso continues Work either out to bid or ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficultsection of Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and a dedicated localrevenue source will allow for the completion of a system that will transform Oahu - Westside familieswill have the option to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending an hour+ in trafficTransit-oriented developments to include affordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances for many Oahu families
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support and look forward to a rigorousdebate and discussion in the months ahead
Aloha
Jennifer SabasExecutive DirectorMove Oahu ForwardP0 Box 1329Honolulu HI 96807
jennifermoveoahuforwardorg
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 353 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Nelisa Asato
Phone
Email nasatomatsoncomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee CouncilAgenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter SupportRepresenting Organization
Organization Matson Navigation Company IncWritten Testimony
Testimony AttachmentAccept Terms and Agreement 1
IP 19216820067
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 419 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Denise Boisvert
Phone
Email infofordeniseyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
YES I FULLY SUPPORT Bill 40 proposed by ChairWaters
Written Testimony All the requirements in the proposed bill are EXCELLENT
Mahalo to all for your kind consideration to more this billforward
Testimony Attachment
AcceptTerms and1
Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 418 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mary Kate Duggan
Phone
Email marykateelizabethduggangmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Resolution 21-234
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
Written Testimony
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and Agreement 1
lP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 423 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Kim Jorgensen
Phone
Email hawaiicondoyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on thematter
Support
Representing SelfOrganization
Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony on Bill 40 IWritten Testimonyfully SUPPORT it
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and1Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
HAwAII STATE AFL-CIO888 Mililani Street Suite 501 bull Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Randy Perreira Telephone (808)597-1441President Fax (808) 593-2149
City CouncilCity and County of Honolulu
Testimony byHawairsquoi State AFL-CIO
October 6 2021
Testimony in SUPPORT of Bill 40 Relating tothe Transient Accommodations Tax
The Hawairsquoi State AFL-CIO is a state federation of 74 affiliate local unions and councils with over68000 members across both public and private sectors We appreciate the opportunity to testify insupport of Bill 40
Of all counties in the state swift measures must be taken to mitigate the negative impact overtourismhas on Honolulursquos infrastructure Traffic congestion in Honolulu is exacerbated by the visitorindustry Establishing a three percent transient accommodations tax is key to generating the revenueneeded to invest in Orsquoahursquos public transportation system The Honolulu Rail Transit Project is apublic good that will benefit 0rsquo ahu workers residents and visitors alike by providing a publictransportation option that complements The Bus and further relieves traffic congestion where it ismost needed
We appreciate your consideration of our testimony in support of Bill 40 and strongly urge you to passthis bill
ectfullysnitted
Randy PerreiraPresident
Dion DizonQfbwtcio org
HAWAII APPLESEEDCENTER FOR LAW amp ECONOMIC JUSTTCE
Testimony of the Hawairsquoi Appleseed Center for Law and Economic JusticeSUPPORT mdash Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
City and County of HonoluluWednesday October 6 2021 10AM
Aloha Chair Waters and Councilmembers
We at Hawaii Appleseed strongly support Bill 40 and efforts to use TAT funds to complete therail project as it will dramatically increase the housing stock in TOD areas and create efficientand equitable access to transit To support the affordable housing that Oahu desperately needswe must finish the rail and provide the subsidies needed to ensure that housing is prioritized forlocal residents and stays affordable over the long-term
In addition we urge the council to provide that a fixed percentage of the TAT be allocatedto rail funding so the project can be completed in a fiscally responsible way with a securefunding stream Ideally all of the necessary funds for completion and ongoing maintenance cancome from this dedicated funding which is paid for by visitors to Oahu
Finishing the rail will enable thousands of homes to be built along the rail corridor Withappropriate affordability restrictions and public support these homes can address the severeshortage of affordable housing here on Oahu A recent 2020 study prepared by PBR Hawaii forthe Hawaii Office of Planning estimates the addition of 50900 residential units around the EastKapolei Stadium and lwilei TOD areas alone1rsquo Although these homes will be built in phasesover the next 40 years it is clear that development around rail can substantially contribute to oursupply of affordable housing According to the 2019 Hawaii Housing Planning Study Oahu willneed an additional 22168 residential units by 2025 with half of the need for households withcombined incomes of $75000 or less
Rail is needed to alleviate traffic and provide walkable neighborhoodsAs Oahu plans for the future we should be focused on housing constructed in walkable urbanneighborhoods with easy access to amenities parks and transit To support the smartaffordable and sustainable growth that is needed we should be building around rail-but first wemust complete the rail Access to rail offers an alternative to driving is likely to reduce traffic for
1 July 2020 State Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning and Implementation Project for theisland of Dahu by PBR Hawaii for the Hawaii State Office of Planning Attachment C
communities along the Leeward Coast and wHI create a more equitable way to access theurban core of Honolulu
We strongly urge the council to pass Bill 40 and to continue to work towards creating acomprehensive affordable housing strategy for the residents of Oahu Completing the rail is vitalto enable housing construction but it will take further efforts to ensure that a majority of housingis reserved for local residents and stays affordable over time
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify
Kenna Stormogipsonkennahibudgetorg
October 5 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer And Council Members
Honolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accomodation Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members
I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transient accommodations tax forthe City and County of Honolulu In addition I respectfully request a portion of this generatedtax to be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project We all realize the pastchallenges of the rail project but now have a great opportunity to position HART for a successfulcompletion of the Rail system
With the new leadership at HART I am more confident than ever that we have the managementindustry tmst transparency technical expertise and action plan required to move this projectahead This dedicated funding source which will be shouldered by our tourist will allowconstruction to continue toward a successful completion for ALL of us This will also spurTransit Oriented Deveiopment around the system to help create housing and businessopportunities in our communities
Thank you for this opportunity to submit my support for Bill 40 and to generate an additionalrevenue source for HART
Respectfully
Dexter Kubota PEVice President
dkubota bowersandkubotacom
a a aareg
aqJrsquoJ1001 Bishop Street I Suite 625 I Honolulu HI 96213-28301-866-295-7282 I Fax 808-536-2882
bull aarporghi I aarphiaarporg I twittercomAARPHawaiI
H auva i I
Honolulu City CouncilOctober 6 2021 1000 am
TO The Honorable Tommy Waters ChairpersonRE Bill 40mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the Committee
My name is Kealirsquoi Lopez and I am the State Director for AARP Hawairsquoi AARP is a membershiporganization of people age fifty and over with nearly 145000 members in HawaiiAARP Hawaii supports Bill 40 which seeks to establish transient accommodations tax (TAT) forthe City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and facilitate thereceipt and deposit of the revenue derived
We respectfully wish to add our comment and support for a dedicated percentage of the TATthat will support the mass transit project Having an ongoing dedicated source of funding willhelp pay for mass transit project the ongoing operations and maintenance of the system afterconstruction has been completed and without the need to raise property taxes
AARP has been a strong proponent of an age-friendly community that includesbull Multi-modal forms of transportation for people of all ages Rail affords another
transportation option for Honolulu especially for seniors and those who cannot affordthe high costs of owning a vehicle
bull Transit Orient Developments (TaD) with affordable housings built within walking andbiking distance of major rail stations
Bill 40 provides an opportunity for the City to modernize and complete our transportationinfrastructure Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will help restore confidencewith the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) and could potentially unlock additionalfederal funding opportunities and other public sources to finish the project Thank you for theopportunity to testify in support of Bill 40
Sincerely
lsquos--rsquo hr
Kealirsquoi Lopez State Director
klopezaarporg
BIABUILDING INDUSTRY
A S SOC AT ION ana
TESTIMONY TO THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCILHONOLULU HALE
COUNCIL CHAMBERSOctober 6 2021
900 AM
Honorable Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Council
RE Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
My name is Daryl Takamiya Chair of the Government Relations Committee of the BuildingIndustry Association of Hawaii (BIA-HawaN) Chartered in 1955 the Building IndustryAssociation of Hawaii is a professional trade organization affiliated with the National Associationof Home Builders representing the building industry and its associates BIA-HawaH takes aleadership role in unifying and promoting the interests of the industry to enhance the quality oflife for the people of Hawah Our members build the communities we all call home
BIA-Hawaii is in support of Bill 40 which would establish a transient accommodations tax for theCity and County of Honolulu specifically the portion of the bill that would provide for a depositinto the established transit fund
BIA-Hawaii continues to support the transit system on the island of Oahu because it willincrease the availability of housing as transit-oriented development communities are built Thelack of affordable housing and other quality of life issues continue to plague our communitiesImproving transportation will only help to alleviate these issues and without a completed railproject affordable housing goals will not be met Bill 40 will be an important component toensure that the transit system is brought to successful completion
We appreciate the opportunity to express our views on Sill 40
Stefanie Y Sakamotostefsakamotoconsultingcom
tamp 006-629-7501 94-487 Akoki St Ste 213 wwwbiahawakorg
fax 808-629-7701 Waipahu HI 9679 infobiahawaiiorg
From CLK Council Into
Sent Tuesday October 5 2021 657 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Stanford Masui
Phone
Email standamanniasuigmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-202 1
CouncilPHBudgetCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40
YOLIE positionOppose
on the matter
Representing Organization
Organization RAILSOS (Study Other Solutions)
Chairman Waters and members of the councilOur organization opposes this bill as written1 It assumes that a portion of the TAT will be set aside for a transit fund for the rail Thisassumption should not he made without a vigorous discussion as whether funds should hesiphoned off for a project that is no longer financially viable To put it bluntly why ldquothrowgood money after badrdquo
2 The rail is at an inflection point as to whether it should he constructed beyond its currentendpoint at Middle St or further intensive study as to viable alternatives rather thancontinuing on to Ala Moana at a prohibitive cost Past VIA administrators have urged the cityto consider modification of its plans a clear signal that additional funding may not beforthcoming
Wutten3 Transit Oriented Development is a myth Most of the buildina of condos in the KapiolaniTestimony -corridor were planned without any consideration of the rail route This is amply demonstratedby the fact that while HART struggles to come up with a funding plan and completion to AlaMoana is questionable developers are proceeding to build The numbers and actual cost ofaffordable housing in these condos are still too expensive for most people to afford Only onemajor project currently is in Ewa and that was planned years before the rail was developed
4 There are urgent issues that require immediate and priority funding homelessness and themental health system police fire and emergency services funding road and highwayimprovement and cleanup and improvement of tourist recreational areas such as parks andbeaches
5 Rather than triggering economic growth the public will be saddled with enormous debt bythe borrowed funding and operational expense estimated variously at present at $120- $150
million per year Electricity costs will cause operational expense to double This project couldbankrupt the city
6 HART should develop a funding or recovery plan before it comes to the council for aportion of TAT revenues
7 The final Environmental Impact Statement indicates only a minimal effect in alleviatingtraffic congestion which is the major argument in favor of funding the rail- The motoringpublic will not see any improvement in driving times and the studies were made years agoand are no longer reliable
The Council is urged to delete any provision that funds the rail in favor of funding otherurgent prioritiesThank you for your consideration
Te stin]on yAttachment
Accept TermsI
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 730 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Leslie M Inouye
Phone
Email Iinouyel4gmai1com
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHBuddeget
Committee
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position onOppose
the matter
Representing Self
Organization
Chairman Waters and City Council I and many others who have only recently becomeaware of Bill 40 must oppose the the use of the TAT to help fund rail It seems there are any
Writtennumber of backdoor plans to find the funds for rail despite the ongoing litany of items thateither have no clear fix andor no specific bottom line At some point you must realize thatTestimony
the rail is not a sustainable to use the popular contemporary term project and to continuepursuing this immense burden portends financial ruin for all of us Please let common senserule your decisions
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IF 19216820067
1
1 PETER A GANABANbull Business Manager
ampcretarj- Treasure
ALFONSO OlIVERPesident
JOBY NORTh IIlice President
TONI FIG(ERO4Recording Secretary
JAMES DRLrsquoMGOLD JRExecutiye Bd
ORLANDO PAESTEExecutive Board
JOSFIrsquoK jAWEsecutiw Board
ESTIIERAILA4udaor
RUSSELl NAPIIIA-4Auditor
SI lsquoIRK TRAVALINO4uJior
MAITINARAN4YDOamprgearn-dt-Arms
LIUNA Local 3681617 Palarna StreetHonolulu HI 96817
Phone (808) 841-5877Fax (808)847-7829
wiwIocaI368org
LiUNA
TESTIMONY OF THE HAWAII LABORERSrsquo UNION LOCAL 358
Honolulu City CouncilCouncil Meeting
Wednesday October 6 20211000 AM
RE Bill 40(2021) mdash RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATION TAX(TAT)
Chair Waters Vice-chair Kiarsquoaina and Council Members
The Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 and its 5000 working and retired men andwomen across the state of Hawaii stand in strong support of Bill 40(2021) whichestablishes a transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) for the City and Countyof Honolulu
The TAT funding proposed in Bill 40 would allow the City and County of Honoluluto maintain and preserve our island while mitigating the impacts of our naturalresources while also building new and existing infrastructure - including theHonolulu Rail Project This proposed measure would help generate much neededrevenue while having our island visitors help in sharing the cost
Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 respectfully requests that the council takefavorable action on this measure and support Bill 40
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony
Shingayi MasiyaGovernment Relations Director
Feel the Power
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 754 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Paul Yonamine
PhoneEmail paulyonaminecpbbank
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncil
Committee
Agenda Item Testimony and Support for Bill 40Your position
Supporton the mailer
Representing Self
Organization
Testimony and Support for Bill 40
I am Paul Yonamine Executive Chairman of Central Pacific Bank andI am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transientaccommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of thisamount I would respectfully request that a portion be set aside for thecompletion of the Honolulu rail project This new revenue source atourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both ofwhom will use and ride a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steadypace Work on utility relocation also continues Work either out to bidor ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficult section of
Written Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and aTestimony dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of a
system that wilt transform Oahu - Westside families will have theoption to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending anhourdivide in traffic Transit-oriented developments (TOD) to includeaffordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances
Rail and TOD represents the single most important economic driverfor the City and County of Honolulu and the state of Hawaii It alsopresents an invaluable opportunity for more affordable housingdevelopment for generations to come Donrsquot stop and impedeprogress of rail because of past project mismanagement We shouldmake sure the project is fully funded and that capable projectmanagers are hired positioned and empowered to complete thisproject
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support andlook forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 824 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Michael KamakaPhone
Email mkamakabowersandkubotacomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40 - Transient Accommodations TaxYour position
Supporton the matterRepresenting SelfOrganization
October 6 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer and Council MembersHonolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Sill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodation TaxDear Chair Waters and MembersPlease accept this written testimony of my support of Bill 40 toestablish a transient accommodations tax for the City and County ofHonolulu Under Sill 40
Written I believe a transient accommodations tax collects the fair and equitableTestimony amount from visitors who enjoy our City and County of Honolulu today
and in the future The tax will provide funding to mitigate impacts ofvisitors by providing money to support the restoration and maintenanceof public facilitiesAs part of the mitigation to the impacts of visitors I respectfully requesta portion of this transient accommodations tax be set aside to supportthe completion of the Honolulu rail project A rail system will helpmitigate the impacts by visitors in the Honolulu area by providing acleaner alternative of transportation thereby minimizing pollutantscaused by vehicle traffic and congestionAlthough there has been fiscal schedule and constructabilitychallenges there is a renewed hope and optimism for the completionof the rail system A renewable source of funding is the opportunity toposition HART for a successful completion of the rail system With new
1
leadership at HART I am confident HART has the people industrytrust transparency technical expertise and viable action plan neededto move this project ahead Funding through a portion of the transientaccommodation tax will provide a sustainable and dedicated fundingsource to allow construction to continueThank you for allowing me this opportunity to submit my support for Bill40Respectfully
Michael Kamaka PE Principal
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
HAWAII REGIONAL COUNCIL OF
CARPENTERS
October 6 2021
City Council
City amp County of Honolulu
Councilmember Tommy Waters Chair
Councilmember Esther Kiarsquoatildeina Vice Chair
Statement of the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters mdash SUPPORT for Bill 40 (2021)mdashRelating to thetransient accommodations tax
Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiarsquoatildeina and Members of the Council
The Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters would like to offer their support for Bill 40 relating to thetransient accommodations tax
Specifically this bill must contain a fixed percentage of the TAT that is dedicated to funding for rail sothe city can finish the project in fiscally responsible way without the need to raise property taxes
Dedicating a percentage of the TAT will also pay for the ongoing operations and maintenance of thesystem after construction has been completed again without the need to raise property taxes
Modernizing our infrastructure is important piece of the Biden administrationrsquos plan to ldquoBuild BackBetterrdquo Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will restore confidence with the FTA andcould potentially unlock additional federal funding opportunities
The downtown and Ala Moana rail stations will have a combined 11600 housing units as a result of theTransit Orientated Development planning and without a completed Rail project TOD and our affordablehousing goals cannot be met
Mass transit will decrease our dependance on imported oil reduce our greenhouse gas emissions andallow for the creation of walkable bikeable communities and safe streets for families
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has studied the impact of public transportation systems and rail isassociated with reductions in several health risk factors such as motor vehicle crashes air pollution andphysical inactivity
STATE HEADQUARTERS amp BUSINESS OFFICESOAIIU 1311 Hoiighiailirig SEreetHonnlulu Hawaii 96S17rsquo2711 bull Ph (808) 847-5761 Fax (808) 440-9188
111W OFFICE 525 Kilauca Avenue Room 205 Fur Hawaii 967203050 bull Ph (808) 935-8575 lOx (808) 935-8576KONA OFFICE 75-126 Lunapule RoadKajlua-Kona Hawaii 96740-2106 bull Ph (808) 329-7355 Fax (808) 326-9376
MAUI OFFICE 330 Hookahi StreetWailuku Maui 96793-1449 bull Ph (808) 2426891 Fax (808) 242-5961IA[JAI OFFICE KuIjo Medical CEr Bldg3-3295 Kuhio HwySuiteZOiLihue Kauai 96766-1040 Ph(SO8) 245-8511 Fax (808) 245-8911
A completed rail system will afford greater transportation options for Honolulu especially for seniors
and those who cannot afford the high costs of owning a vehicle
And it will enhance the quality life for leeward families who spend hours in traffic each day
Mahalo for your consideration
Nathaniel KinneynRinncyhrcc-bwflccm
MOVEOAHUFORWARD
October 6 2021
Chairman Tommy Waters and members of the Honolulu City Council
Aloha my name is Jennifer Sabas and I serve as the Executive Director of Move Oahu Forward a nonprofit organization supporting the Honolulu rail project as an integral part of a robust publictransportation system on Oahu I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish atransient accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of this amount I wouldrespectfully request that a portion be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project Thisnew revenue source a tourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both of whosewill ride the finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utility relocationalso continues Work either out to bid or ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficultsection of Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and a dedicated localrevenue source will allow for the completion of a system that will transform Oahu - Westside familieswill have the option to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending an hour+ in trafficTransit-oriented developments to include affordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances for many Oahu families
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support and look forward to a rigorousdebate and discussion in the months ahead
Aloha
Jennifer SabasExecutive DirectorMove Oahu ForwardP0 Box 1329Honolulu HI 96807
jennifermoveoahuforwardorg
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 353 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Nelisa Asato
Phone
Email nasatomatsoncomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee CouncilAgenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter SupportRepresenting Organization
Organization Matson Navigation Company IncWritten Testimony
Testimony AttachmentAccept Terms and Agreement 1
IP 19216820067
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 419 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Denise Boisvert
Phone
Email infofordeniseyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
YES I FULLY SUPPORT Bill 40 proposed by ChairWaters
Written Testimony All the requirements in the proposed bill are EXCELLENT
Mahalo to all for your kind consideration to more this billforward
Testimony Attachment
AcceptTerms and1
Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 418 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mary Kate Duggan
Phone
Email marykateelizabethduggangmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Resolution 21-234
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
Written Testimony
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and Agreement 1
lP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 423 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Kim Jorgensen
Phone
Email hawaiicondoyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on thematter
Support
Representing SelfOrganization
Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony on Bill 40 IWritten Testimonyfully SUPPORT it
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and1Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
HAwAII STATE AFL-CIO888 Mililani Street Suite 501 bull Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Randy Perreira Telephone (808)597-1441President Fax (808) 593-2149
City CouncilCity and County of Honolulu
Testimony byHawairsquoi State AFL-CIO
October 6 2021
Testimony in SUPPORT of Bill 40 Relating tothe Transient Accommodations Tax
The Hawairsquoi State AFL-CIO is a state federation of 74 affiliate local unions and councils with over68000 members across both public and private sectors We appreciate the opportunity to testify insupport of Bill 40
Of all counties in the state swift measures must be taken to mitigate the negative impact overtourismhas on Honolulursquos infrastructure Traffic congestion in Honolulu is exacerbated by the visitorindustry Establishing a three percent transient accommodations tax is key to generating the revenueneeded to invest in Orsquoahursquos public transportation system The Honolulu Rail Transit Project is apublic good that will benefit 0rsquo ahu workers residents and visitors alike by providing a publictransportation option that complements The Bus and further relieves traffic congestion where it ismost needed
We appreciate your consideration of our testimony in support of Bill 40 and strongly urge you to passthis bill
ectfullysnitted
Randy PerreiraPresident
Dion DizonQfbwtcio org
HAWAII APPLESEEDCENTER FOR LAW amp ECONOMIC JUSTTCE
Testimony of the Hawairsquoi Appleseed Center for Law and Economic JusticeSUPPORT mdash Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
City and County of HonoluluWednesday October 6 2021 10AM
Aloha Chair Waters and Councilmembers
We at Hawaii Appleseed strongly support Bill 40 and efforts to use TAT funds to complete therail project as it will dramatically increase the housing stock in TOD areas and create efficientand equitable access to transit To support the affordable housing that Oahu desperately needswe must finish the rail and provide the subsidies needed to ensure that housing is prioritized forlocal residents and stays affordable over the long-term
In addition we urge the council to provide that a fixed percentage of the TAT be allocatedto rail funding so the project can be completed in a fiscally responsible way with a securefunding stream Ideally all of the necessary funds for completion and ongoing maintenance cancome from this dedicated funding which is paid for by visitors to Oahu
Finishing the rail will enable thousands of homes to be built along the rail corridor Withappropriate affordability restrictions and public support these homes can address the severeshortage of affordable housing here on Oahu A recent 2020 study prepared by PBR Hawaii forthe Hawaii Office of Planning estimates the addition of 50900 residential units around the EastKapolei Stadium and lwilei TOD areas alone1rsquo Although these homes will be built in phasesover the next 40 years it is clear that development around rail can substantially contribute to oursupply of affordable housing According to the 2019 Hawaii Housing Planning Study Oahu willneed an additional 22168 residential units by 2025 with half of the need for households withcombined incomes of $75000 or less
Rail is needed to alleviate traffic and provide walkable neighborhoodsAs Oahu plans for the future we should be focused on housing constructed in walkable urbanneighborhoods with easy access to amenities parks and transit To support the smartaffordable and sustainable growth that is needed we should be building around rail-but first wemust complete the rail Access to rail offers an alternative to driving is likely to reduce traffic for
1 July 2020 State Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning and Implementation Project for theisland of Dahu by PBR Hawaii for the Hawaii State Office of Planning Attachment C
communities along the Leeward Coast and wHI create a more equitable way to access theurban core of Honolulu
We strongly urge the council to pass Bill 40 and to continue to work towards creating acomprehensive affordable housing strategy for the residents of Oahu Completing the rail is vitalto enable housing construction but it will take further efforts to ensure that a majority of housingis reserved for local residents and stays affordable over time
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify
Kenna Stormogipsonkennahibudgetorg
October 5 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer And Council Members
Honolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accomodation Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members
I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transient accommodations tax forthe City and County of Honolulu In addition I respectfully request a portion of this generatedtax to be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project We all realize the pastchallenges of the rail project but now have a great opportunity to position HART for a successfulcompletion of the Rail system
With the new leadership at HART I am more confident than ever that we have the managementindustry tmst transparency technical expertise and action plan required to move this projectahead This dedicated funding source which will be shouldered by our tourist will allowconstruction to continue toward a successful completion for ALL of us This will also spurTransit Oriented Deveiopment around the system to help create housing and businessopportunities in our communities
Thank you for this opportunity to submit my support for Bill 40 and to generate an additionalrevenue source for HART
Respectfully
Dexter Kubota PEVice President
dkubota bowersandkubotacom
a a aareg
aqJrsquoJ1001 Bishop Street I Suite 625 I Honolulu HI 96213-28301-866-295-7282 I Fax 808-536-2882
bull aarporghi I aarphiaarporg I twittercomAARPHawaiI
H auva i I
Honolulu City CouncilOctober 6 2021 1000 am
TO The Honorable Tommy Waters ChairpersonRE Bill 40mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the Committee
My name is Kealirsquoi Lopez and I am the State Director for AARP Hawairsquoi AARP is a membershiporganization of people age fifty and over with nearly 145000 members in HawaiiAARP Hawaii supports Bill 40 which seeks to establish transient accommodations tax (TAT) forthe City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and facilitate thereceipt and deposit of the revenue derived
We respectfully wish to add our comment and support for a dedicated percentage of the TATthat will support the mass transit project Having an ongoing dedicated source of funding willhelp pay for mass transit project the ongoing operations and maintenance of the system afterconstruction has been completed and without the need to raise property taxes
AARP has been a strong proponent of an age-friendly community that includesbull Multi-modal forms of transportation for people of all ages Rail affords another
transportation option for Honolulu especially for seniors and those who cannot affordthe high costs of owning a vehicle
bull Transit Orient Developments (TaD) with affordable housings built within walking andbiking distance of major rail stations
Bill 40 provides an opportunity for the City to modernize and complete our transportationinfrastructure Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will help restore confidencewith the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) and could potentially unlock additionalfederal funding opportunities and other public sources to finish the project Thank you for theopportunity to testify in support of Bill 40
Sincerely
lsquos--rsquo hr
Kealirsquoi Lopez State Director
klopezaarporg
BIABUILDING INDUSTRY
A S SOC AT ION ana
TESTIMONY TO THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCILHONOLULU HALE
COUNCIL CHAMBERSOctober 6 2021
900 AM
Honorable Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Council
RE Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
My name is Daryl Takamiya Chair of the Government Relations Committee of the BuildingIndustry Association of Hawaii (BIA-HawaN) Chartered in 1955 the Building IndustryAssociation of Hawaii is a professional trade organization affiliated with the National Associationof Home Builders representing the building industry and its associates BIA-HawaH takes aleadership role in unifying and promoting the interests of the industry to enhance the quality oflife for the people of Hawah Our members build the communities we all call home
BIA-Hawaii is in support of Bill 40 which would establish a transient accommodations tax for theCity and County of Honolulu specifically the portion of the bill that would provide for a depositinto the established transit fund
BIA-Hawaii continues to support the transit system on the island of Oahu because it willincrease the availability of housing as transit-oriented development communities are built Thelack of affordable housing and other quality of life issues continue to plague our communitiesImproving transportation will only help to alleviate these issues and without a completed railproject affordable housing goals will not be met Bill 40 will be an important component toensure that the transit system is brought to successful completion
We appreciate the opportunity to express our views on Sill 40
Stefanie Y Sakamotostefsakamotoconsultingcom
tamp 006-629-7501 94-487 Akoki St Ste 213 wwwbiahawakorg
fax 808-629-7701 Waipahu HI 9679 infobiahawaiiorg
From CLK Council Into
Sent Tuesday October 5 2021 657 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Stanford Masui
Phone
Email standamanniasuigmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-202 1
CouncilPHBudgetCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40
YOLIE positionOppose
on the matter
Representing Organization
Organization RAILSOS (Study Other Solutions)
Chairman Waters and members of the councilOur organization opposes this bill as written1 It assumes that a portion of the TAT will be set aside for a transit fund for the rail Thisassumption should not he made without a vigorous discussion as whether funds should hesiphoned off for a project that is no longer financially viable To put it bluntly why ldquothrowgood money after badrdquo
2 The rail is at an inflection point as to whether it should he constructed beyond its currentendpoint at Middle St or further intensive study as to viable alternatives rather thancontinuing on to Ala Moana at a prohibitive cost Past VIA administrators have urged the cityto consider modification of its plans a clear signal that additional funding may not beforthcoming
Wutten3 Transit Oriented Development is a myth Most of the buildina of condos in the KapiolaniTestimony -corridor were planned without any consideration of the rail route This is amply demonstratedby the fact that while HART struggles to come up with a funding plan and completion to AlaMoana is questionable developers are proceeding to build The numbers and actual cost ofaffordable housing in these condos are still too expensive for most people to afford Only onemajor project currently is in Ewa and that was planned years before the rail was developed
4 There are urgent issues that require immediate and priority funding homelessness and themental health system police fire and emergency services funding road and highwayimprovement and cleanup and improvement of tourist recreational areas such as parks andbeaches
5 Rather than triggering economic growth the public will be saddled with enormous debt bythe borrowed funding and operational expense estimated variously at present at $120- $150
million per year Electricity costs will cause operational expense to double This project couldbankrupt the city
6 HART should develop a funding or recovery plan before it comes to the council for aportion of TAT revenues
7 The final Environmental Impact Statement indicates only a minimal effect in alleviatingtraffic congestion which is the major argument in favor of funding the rail- The motoringpublic will not see any improvement in driving times and the studies were made years agoand are no longer reliable
The Council is urged to delete any provision that funds the rail in favor of funding otherurgent prioritiesThank you for your consideration
Te stin]on yAttachment
Accept TermsI
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 730 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Leslie M Inouye
Phone
Email Iinouyel4gmai1com
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHBuddeget
Committee
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position onOppose
the matter
Representing Self
Organization
Chairman Waters and City Council I and many others who have only recently becomeaware of Bill 40 must oppose the the use of the TAT to help fund rail It seems there are any
Writtennumber of backdoor plans to find the funds for rail despite the ongoing litany of items thateither have no clear fix andor no specific bottom line At some point you must realize thatTestimony
the rail is not a sustainable to use the popular contemporary term project and to continuepursuing this immense burden portends financial ruin for all of us Please let common senserule your decisions
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IF 19216820067
1
1 PETER A GANABANbull Business Manager
ampcretarj- Treasure
ALFONSO OlIVERPesident
JOBY NORTh IIlice President
TONI FIG(ERO4Recording Secretary
JAMES DRLrsquoMGOLD JRExecutiye Bd
ORLANDO PAESTEExecutive Board
JOSFIrsquoK jAWEsecutiw Board
ESTIIERAILA4udaor
RUSSELl NAPIIIA-4Auditor
SI lsquoIRK TRAVALINO4uJior
MAITINARAN4YDOamprgearn-dt-Arms
LIUNA Local 3681617 Palarna StreetHonolulu HI 96817
Phone (808) 841-5877Fax (808)847-7829
wiwIocaI368org
LiUNA
TESTIMONY OF THE HAWAII LABORERSrsquo UNION LOCAL 358
Honolulu City CouncilCouncil Meeting
Wednesday October 6 20211000 AM
RE Bill 40(2021) mdash RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATION TAX(TAT)
Chair Waters Vice-chair Kiarsquoaina and Council Members
The Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 and its 5000 working and retired men andwomen across the state of Hawaii stand in strong support of Bill 40(2021) whichestablishes a transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) for the City and Countyof Honolulu
The TAT funding proposed in Bill 40 would allow the City and County of Honoluluto maintain and preserve our island while mitigating the impacts of our naturalresources while also building new and existing infrastructure - including theHonolulu Rail Project This proposed measure would help generate much neededrevenue while having our island visitors help in sharing the cost
Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 respectfully requests that the council takefavorable action on this measure and support Bill 40
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony
Shingayi MasiyaGovernment Relations Director
Feel the Power
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 754 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Paul Yonamine
PhoneEmail paulyonaminecpbbank
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncil
Committee
Agenda Item Testimony and Support for Bill 40Your position
Supporton the mailer
Representing Self
Organization
Testimony and Support for Bill 40
I am Paul Yonamine Executive Chairman of Central Pacific Bank andI am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transientaccommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of thisamount I would respectfully request that a portion be set aside for thecompletion of the Honolulu rail project This new revenue source atourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both ofwhom will use and ride a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steadypace Work on utility relocation also continues Work either out to bidor ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficult section of
Written Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and aTestimony dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of a
system that wilt transform Oahu - Westside families will have theoption to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending anhourdivide in traffic Transit-oriented developments (TOD) to includeaffordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances
Rail and TOD represents the single most important economic driverfor the City and County of Honolulu and the state of Hawaii It alsopresents an invaluable opportunity for more affordable housingdevelopment for generations to come Donrsquot stop and impedeprogress of rail because of past project mismanagement We shouldmake sure the project is fully funded and that capable projectmanagers are hired positioned and empowered to complete thisproject
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support andlook forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 824 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Michael KamakaPhone
Email mkamakabowersandkubotacomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40 - Transient Accommodations TaxYour position
Supporton the matterRepresenting SelfOrganization
October 6 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer and Council MembersHonolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Sill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodation TaxDear Chair Waters and MembersPlease accept this written testimony of my support of Bill 40 toestablish a transient accommodations tax for the City and County ofHonolulu Under Sill 40
Written I believe a transient accommodations tax collects the fair and equitableTestimony amount from visitors who enjoy our City and County of Honolulu today
and in the future The tax will provide funding to mitigate impacts ofvisitors by providing money to support the restoration and maintenanceof public facilitiesAs part of the mitigation to the impacts of visitors I respectfully requesta portion of this transient accommodations tax be set aside to supportthe completion of the Honolulu rail project A rail system will helpmitigate the impacts by visitors in the Honolulu area by providing acleaner alternative of transportation thereby minimizing pollutantscaused by vehicle traffic and congestionAlthough there has been fiscal schedule and constructabilitychallenges there is a renewed hope and optimism for the completionof the rail system A renewable source of funding is the opportunity toposition HART for a successful completion of the rail system With new
1
leadership at HART I am confident HART has the people industrytrust transparency technical expertise and viable action plan neededto move this project ahead Funding through a portion of the transientaccommodation tax will provide a sustainable and dedicated fundingsource to allow construction to continueThank you for allowing me this opportunity to submit my support for Bill40Respectfully
Michael Kamaka PE Principal
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
A completed rail system will afford greater transportation options for Honolulu especially for seniors
and those who cannot afford the high costs of owning a vehicle
And it will enhance the quality life for leeward families who spend hours in traffic each day
Mahalo for your consideration
Nathaniel KinneynRinncyhrcc-bwflccm
MOVEOAHUFORWARD
October 6 2021
Chairman Tommy Waters and members of the Honolulu City Council
Aloha my name is Jennifer Sabas and I serve as the Executive Director of Move Oahu Forward a nonprofit organization supporting the Honolulu rail project as an integral part of a robust publictransportation system on Oahu I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish atransient accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of this amount I wouldrespectfully request that a portion be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project Thisnew revenue source a tourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both of whosewill ride the finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utility relocationalso continues Work either out to bid or ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficultsection of Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and a dedicated localrevenue source will allow for the completion of a system that will transform Oahu - Westside familieswill have the option to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending an hour+ in trafficTransit-oriented developments to include affordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances for many Oahu families
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support and look forward to a rigorousdebate and discussion in the months ahead
Aloha
Jennifer SabasExecutive DirectorMove Oahu ForwardP0 Box 1329Honolulu HI 96807
jennifermoveoahuforwardorg
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 353 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Nelisa Asato
Phone
Email nasatomatsoncomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee CouncilAgenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter SupportRepresenting Organization
Organization Matson Navigation Company IncWritten Testimony
Testimony AttachmentAccept Terms and Agreement 1
IP 19216820067
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 419 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Denise Boisvert
Phone
Email infofordeniseyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
YES I FULLY SUPPORT Bill 40 proposed by ChairWaters
Written Testimony All the requirements in the proposed bill are EXCELLENT
Mahalo to all for your kind consideration to more this billforward
Testimony Attachment
AcceptTerms and1
Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 418 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mary Kate Duggan
Phone
Email marykateelizabethduggangmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Resolution 21-234
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
Written Testimony
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and Agreement 1
lP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 423 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Kim Jorgensen
Phone
Email hawaiicondoyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on thematter
Support
Representing SelfOrganization
Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony on Bill 40 IWritten Testimonyfully SUPPORT it
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and1Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
HAwAII STATE AFL-CIO888 Mililani Street Suite 501 bull Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Randy Perreira Telephone (808)597-1441President Fax (808) 593-2149
City CouncilCity and County of Honolulu
Testimony byHawairsquoi State AFL-CIO
October 6 2021
Testimony in SUPPORT of Bill 40 Relating tothe Transient Accommodations Tax
The Hawairsquoi State AFL-CIO is a state federation of 74 affiliate local unions and councils with over68000 members across both public and private sectors We appreciate the opportunity to testify insupport of Bill 40
Of all counties in the state swift measures must be taken to mitigate the negative impact overtourismhas on Honolulursquos infrastructure Traffic congestion in Honolulu is exacerbated by the visitorindustry Establishing a three percent transient accommodations tax is key to generating the revenueneeded to invest in Orsquoahursquos public transportation system The Honolulu Rail Transit Project is apublic good that will benefit 0rsquo ahu workers residents and visitors alike by providing a publictransportation option that complements The Bus and further relieves traffic congestion where it ismost needed
We appreciate your consideration of our testimony in support of Bill 40 and strongly urge you to passthis bill
ectfullysnitted
Randy PerreiraPresident
Dion DizonQfbwtcio org
HAWAII APPLESEEDCENTER FOR LAW amp ECONOMIC JUSTTCE
Testimony of the Hawairsquoi Appleseed Center for Law and Economic JusticeSUPPORT mdash Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
City and County of HonoluluWednesday October 6 2021 10AM
Aloha Chair Waters and Councilmembers
We at Hawaii Appleseed strongly support Bill 40 and efforts to use TAT funds to complete therail project as it will dramatically increase the housing stock in TOD areas and create efficientand equitable access to transit To support the affordable housing that Oahu desperately needswe must finish the rail and provide the subsidies needed to ensure that housing is prioritized forlocal residents and stays affordable over the long-term
In addition we urge the council to provide that a fixed percentage of the TAT be allocatedto rail funding so the project can be completed in a fiscally responsible way with a securefunding stream Ideally all of the necessary funds for completion and ongoing maintenance cancome from this dedicated funding which is paid for by visitors to Oahu
Finishing the rail will enable thousands of homes to be built along the rail corridor Withappropriate affordability restrictions and public support these homes can address the severeshortage of affordable housing here on Oahu A recent 2020 study prepared by PBR Hawaii forthe Hawaii Office of Planning estimates the addition of 50900 residential units around the EastKapolei Stadium and lwilei TOD areas alone1rsquo Although these homes will be built in phasesover the next 40 years it is clear that development around rail can substantially contribute to oursupply of affordable housing According to the 2019 Hawaii Housing Planning Study Oahu willneed an additional 22168 residential units by 2025 with half of the need for households withcombined incomes of $75000 or less
Rail is needed to alleviate traffic and provide walkable neighborhoodsAs Oahu plans for the future we should be focused on housing constructed in walkable urbanneighborhoods with easy access to amenities parks and transit To support the smartaffordable and sustainable growth that is needed we should be building around rail-but first wemust complete the rail Access to rail offers an alternative to driving is likely to reduce traffic for
1 July 2020 State Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning and Implementation Project for theisland of Dahu by PBR Hawaii for the Hawaii State Office of Planning Attachment C
communities along the Leeward Coast and wHI create a more equitable way to access theurban core of Honolulu
We strongly urge the council to pass Bill 40 and to continue to work towards creating acomprehensive affordable housing strategy for the residents of Oahu Completing the rail is vitalto enable housing construction but it will take further efforts to ensure that a majority of housingis reserved for local residents and stays affordable over time
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify
Kenna Stormogipsonkennahibudgetorg
October 5 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer And Council Members
Honolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accomodation Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members
I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transient accommodations tax forthe City and County of Honolulu In addition I respectfully request a portion of this generatedtax to be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project We all realize the pastchallenges of the rail project but now have a great opportunity to position HART for a successfulcompletion of the Rail system
With the new leadership at HART I am more confident than ever that we have the managementindustry tmst transparency technical expertise and action plan required to move this projectahead This dedicated funding source which will be shouldered by our tourist will allowconstruction to continue toward a successful completion for ALL of us This will also spurTransit Oriented Deveiopment around the system to help create housing and businessopportunities in our communities
Thank you for this opportunity to submit my support for Bill 40 and to generate an additionalrevenue source for HART
Respectfully
Dexter Kubota PEVice President
dkubota bowersandkubotacom
a a aareg
aqJrsquoJ1001 Bishop Street I Suite 625 I Honolulu HI 96213-28301-866-295-7282 I Fax 808-536-2882
bull aarporghi I aarphiaarporg I twittercomAARPHawaiI
H auva i I
Honolulu City CouncilOctober 6 2021 1000 am
TO The Honorable Tommy Waters ChairpersonRE Bill 40mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the Committee
My name is Kealirsquoi Lopez and I am the State Director for AARP Hawairsquoi AARP is a membershiporganization of people age fifty and over with nearly 145000 members in HawaiiAARP Hawaii supports Bill 40 which seeks to establish transient accommodations tax (TAT) forthe City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and facilitate thereceipt and deposit of the revenue derived
We respectfully wish to add our comment and support for a dedicated percentage of the TATthat will support the mass transit project Having an ongoing dedicated source of funding willhelp pay for mass transit project the ongoing operations and maintenance of the system afterconstruction has been completed and without the need to raise property taxes
AARP has been a strong proponent of an age-friendly community that includesbull Multi-modal forms of transportation for people of all ages Rail affords another
transportation option for Honolulu especially for seniors and those who cannot affordthe high costs of owning a vehicle
bull Transit Orient Developments (TaD) with affordable housings built within walking andbiking distance of major rail stations
Bill 40 provides an opportunity for the City to modernize and complete our transportationinfrastructure Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will help restore confidencewith the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) and could potentially unlock additionalfederal funding opportunities and other public sources to finish the project Thank you for theopportunity to testify in support of Bill 40
Sincerely
lsquos--rsquo hr
Kealirsquoi Lopez State Director
klopezaarporg
BIABUILDING INDUSTRY
A S SOC AT ION ana
TESTIMONY TO THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCILHONOLULU HALE
COUNCIL CHAMBERSOctober 6 2021
900 AM
Honorable Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Council
RE Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
My name is Daryl Takamiya Chair of the Government Relations Committee of the BuildingIndustry Association of Hawaii (BIA-HawaN) Chartered in 1955 the Building IndustryAssociation of Hawaii is a professional trade organization affiliated with the National Associationof Home Builders representing the building industry and its associates BIA-HawaH takes aleadership role in unifying and promoting the interests of the industry to enhance the quality oflife for the people of Hawah Our members build the communities we all call home
BIA-Hawaii is in support of Bill 40 which would establish a transient accommodations tax for theCity and County of Honolulu specifically the portion of the bill that would provide for a depositinto the established transit fund
BIA-Hawaii continues to support the transit system on the island of Oahu because it willincrease the availability of housing as transit-oriented development communities are built Thelack of affordable housing and other quality of life issues continue to plague our communitiesImproving transportation will only help to alleviate these issues and without a completed railproject affordable housing goals will not be met Bill 40 will be an important component toensure that the transit system is brought to successful completion
We appreciate the opportunity to express our views on Sill 40
Stefanie Y Sakamotostefsakamotoconsultingcom
tamp 006-629-7501 94-487 Akoki St Ste 213 wwwbiahawakorg
fax 808-629-7701 Waipahu HI 9679 infobiahawaiiorg
From CLK Council Into
Sent Tuesday October 5 2021 657 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Stanford Masui
Phone
Email standamanniasuigmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-202 1
CouncilPHBudgetCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40
YOLIE positionOppose
on the matter
Representing Organization
Organization RAILSOS (Study Other Solutions)
Chairman Waters and members of the councilOur organization opposes this bill as written1 It assumes that a portion of the TAT will be set aside for a transit fund for the rail Thisassumption should not he made without a vigorous discussion as whether funds should hesiphoned off for a project that is no longer financially viable To put it bluntly why ldquothrowgood money after badrdquo
2 The rail is at an inflection point as to whether it should he constructed beyond its currentendpoint at Middle St or further intensive study as to viable alternatives rather thancontinuing on to Ala Moana at a prohibitive cost Past VIA administrators have urged the cityto consider modification of its plans a clear signal that additional funding may not beforthcoming
Wutten3 Transit Oriented Development is a myth Most of the buildina of condos in the KapiolaniTestimony -corridor were planned without any consideration of the rail route This is amply demonstratedby the fact that while HART struggles to come up with a funding plan and completion to AlaMoana is questionable developers are proceeding to build The numbers and actual cost ofaffordable housing in these condos are still too expensive for most people to afford Only onemajor project currently is in Ewa and that was planned years before the rail was developed
4 There are urgent issues that require immediate and priority funding homelessness and themental health system police fire and emergency services funding road and highwayimprovement and cleanup and improvement of tourist recreational areas such as parks andbeaches
5 Rather than triggering economic growth the public will be saddled with enormous debt bythe borrowed funding and operational expense estimated variously at present at $120- $150
million per year Electricity costs will cause operational expense to double This project couldbankrupt the city
6 HART should develop a funding or recovery plan before it comes to the council for aportion of TAT revenues
7 The final Environmental Impact Statement indicates only a minimal effect in alleviatingtraffic congestion which is the major argument in favor of funding the rail- The motoringpublic will not see any improvement in driving times and the studies were made years agoand are no longer reliable
The Council is urged to delete any provision that funds the rail in favor of funding otherurgent prioritiesThank you for your consideration
Te stin]on yAttachment
Accept TermsI
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 730 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Leslie M Inouye
Phone
Email Iinouyel4gmai1com
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHBuddeget
Committee
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position onOppose
the matter
Representing Self
Organization
Chairman Waters and City Council I and many others who have only recently becomeaware of Bill 40 must oppose the the use of the TAT to help fund rail It seems there are any
Writtennumber of backdoor plans to find the funds for rail despite the ongoing litany of items thateither have no clear fix andor no specific bottom line At some point you must realize thatTestimony
the rail is not a sustainable to use the popular contemporary term project and to continuepursuing this immense burden portends financial ruin for all of us Please let common senserule your decisions
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IF 19216820067
1
1 PETER A GANABANbull Business Manager
ampcretarj- Treasure
ALFONSO OlIVERPesident
JOBY NORTh IIlice President
TONI FIG(ERO4Recording Secretary
JAMES DRLrsquoMGOLD JRExecutiye Bd
ORLANDO PAESTEExecutive Board
JOSFIrsquoK jAWEsecutiw Board
ESTIIERAILA4udaor
RUSSELl NAPIIIA-4Auditor
SI lsquoIRK TRAVALINO4uJior
MAITINARAN4YDOamprgearn-dt-Arms
LIUNA Local 3681617 Palarna StreetHonolulu HI 96817
Phone (808) 841-5877Fax (808)847-7829
wiwIocaI368org
LiUNA
TESTIMONY OF THE HAWAII LABORERSrsquo UNION LOCAL 358
Honolulu City CouncilCouncil Meeting
Wednesday October 6 20211000 AM
RE Bill 40(2021) mdash RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATION TAX(TAT)
Chair Waters Vice-chair Kiarsquoaina and Council Members
The Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 and its 5000 working and retired men andwomen across the state of Hawaii stand in strong support of Bill 40(2021) whichestablishes a transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) for the City and Countyof Honolulu
The TAT funding proposed in Bill 40 would allow the City and County of Honoluluto maintain and preserve our island while mitigating the impacts of our naturalresources while also building new and existing infrastructure - including theHonolulu Rail Project This proposed measure would help generate much neededrevenue while having our island visitors help in sharing the cost
Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 respectfully requests that the council takefavorable action on this measure and support Bill 40
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony
Shingayi MasiyaGovernment Relations Director
Feel the Power
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 754 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Paul Yonamine
PhoneEmail paulyonaminecpbbank
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncil
Committee
Agenda Item Testimony and Support for Bill 40Your position
Supporton the mailer
Representing Self
Organization
Testimony and Support for Bill 40
I am Paul Yonamine Executive Chairman of Central Pacific Bank andI am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transientaccommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of thisamount I would respectfully request that a portion be set aside for thecompletion of the Honolulu rail project This new revenue source atourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both ofwhom will use and ride a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steadypace Work on utility relocation also continues Work either out to bidor ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficult section of
Written Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and aTestimony dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of a
system that wilt transform Oahu - Westside families will have theoption to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending anhourdivide in traffic Transit-oriented developments (TOD) to includeaffordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances
Rail and TOD represents the single most important economic driverfor the City and County of Honolulu and the state of Hawaii It alsopresents an invaluable opportunity for more affordable housingdevelopment for generations to come Donrsquot stop and impedeprogress of rail because of past project mismanagement We shouldmake sure the project is fully funded and that capable projectmanagers are hired positioned and empowered to complete thisproject
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support andlook forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 824 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Michael KamakaPhone
Email mkamakabowersandkubotacomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40 - Transient Accommodations TaxYour position
Supporton the matterRepresenting SelfOrganization
October 6 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer and Council MembersHonolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Sill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodation TaxDear Chair Waters and MembersPlease accept this written testimony of my support of Bill 40 toestablish a transient accommodations tax for the City and County ofHonolulu Under Sill 40
Written I believe a transient accommodations tax collects the fair and equitableTestimony amount from visitors who enjoy our City and County of Honolulu today
and in the future The tax will provide funding to mitigate impacts ofvisitors by providing money to support the restoration and maintenanceof public facilitiesAs part of the mitigation to the impacts of visitors I respectfully requesta portion of this transient accommodations tax be set aside to supportthe completion of the Honolulu rail project A rail system will helpmitigate the impacts by visitors in the Honolulu area by providing acleaner alternative of transportation thereby minimizing pollutantscaused by vehicle traffic and congestionAlthough there has been fiscal schedule and constructabilitychallenges there is a renewed hope and optimism for the completionof the rail system A renewable source of funding is the opportunity toposition HART for a successful completion of the rail system With new
1
leadership at HART I am confident HART has the people industrytrust transparency technical expertise and viable action plan neededto move this project ahead Funding through a portion of the transientaccommodation tax will provide a sustainable and dedicated fundingsource to allow construction to continueThank you for allowing me this opportunity to submit my support for Bill40Respectfully
Michael Kamaka PE Principal
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
MOVEOAHUFORWARD
October 6 2021
Chairman Tommy Waters and members of the Honolulu City Council
Aloha my name is Jennifer Sabas and I serve as the Executive Director of Move Oahu Forward a nonprofit organization supporting the Honolulu rail project as an integral part of a robust publictransportation system on Oahu I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish atransient accommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of this amount I wouldrespectfully request that a portion be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project Thisnew revenue source a tourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both of whosewill ride the finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steady pace Work on utility relocationalso continues Work either out to bid or ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficultsection of Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and a dedicated localrevenue source will allow for the completion of a system that will transform Oahu - Westside familieswill have the option to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending an hour+ in trafficTransit-oriented developments to include affordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances for many Oahu families
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support and look forward to a rigorousdebate and discussion in the months ahead
Aloha
Jennifer SabasExecutive DirectorMove Oahu ForwardP0 Box 1329Honolulu HI 96807
jennifermoveoahuforwardorg
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 353 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Nelisa Asato
Phone
Email nasatomatsoncomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee CouncilAgenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter SupportRepresenting Organization
Organization Matson Navigation Company IncWritten Testimony
Testimony AttachmentAccept Terms and Agreement 1
IP 19216820067
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 419 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Denise Boisvert
Phone
Email infofordeniseyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
YES I FULLY SUPPORT Bill 40 proposed by ChairWaters
Written Testimony All the requirements in the proposed bill are EXCELLENT
Mahalo to all for your kind consideration to more this billforward
Testimony Attachment
AcceptTerms and1
Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 418 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mary Kate Duggan
Phone
Email marykateelizabethduggangmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Resolution 21-234
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
Written Testimony
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and Agreement 1
lP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 423 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Kim Jorgensen
Phone
Email hawaiicondoyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on thematter
Support
Representing SelfOrganization
Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony on Bill 40 IWritten Testimonyfully SUPPORT it
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and1Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
HAwAII STATE AFL-CIO888 Mililani Street Suite 501 bull Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Randy Perreira Telephone (808)597-1441President Fax (808) 593-2149
City CouncilCity and County of Honolulu
Testimony byHawairsquoi State AFL-CIO
October 6 2021
Testimony in SUPPORT of Bill 40 Relating tothe Transient Accommodations Tax
The Hawairsquoi State AFL-CIO is a state federation of 74 affiliate local unions and councils with over68000 members across both public and private sectors We appreciate the opportunity to testify insupport of Bill 40
Of all counties in the state swift measures must be taken to mitigate the negative impact overtourismhas on Honolulursquos infrastructure Traffic congestion in Honolulu is exacerbated by the visitorindustry Establishing a three percent transient accommodations tax is key to generating the revenueneeded to invest in Orsquoahursquos public transportation system The Honolulu Rail Transit Project is apublic good that will benefit 0rsquo ahu workers residents and visitors alike by providing a publictransportation option that complements The Bus and further relieves traffic congestion where it ismost needed
We appreciate your consideration of our testimony in support of Bill 40 and strongly urge you to passthis bill
ectfullysnitted
Randy PerreiraPresident
Dion DizonQfbwtcio org
HAWAII APPLESEEDCENTER FOR LAW amp ECONOMIC JUSTTCE
Testimony of the Hawairsquoi Appleseed Center for Law and Economic JusticeSUPPORT mdash Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
City and County of HonoluluWednesday October 6 2021 10AM
Aloha Chair Waters and Councilmembers
We at Hawaii Appleseed strongly support Bill 40 and efforts to use TAT funds to complete therail project as it will dramatically increase the housing stock in TOD areas and create efficientand equitable access to transit To support the affordable housing that Oahu desperately needswe must finish the rail and provide the subsidies needed to ensure that housing is prioritized forlocal residents and stays affordable over the long-term
In addition we urge the council to provide that a fixed percentage of the TAT be allocatedto rail funding so the project can be completed in a fiscally responsible way with a securefunding stream Ideally all of the necessary funds for completion and ongoing maintenance cancome from this dedicated funding which is paid for by visitors to Oahu
Finishing the rail will enable thousands of homes to be built along the rail corridor Withappropriate affordability restrictions and public support these homes can address the severeshortage of affordable housing here on Oahu A recent 2020 study prepared by PBR Hawaii forthe Hawaii Office of Planning estimates the addition of 50900 residential units around the EastKapolei Stadium and lwilei TOD areas alone1rsquo Although these homes will be built in phasesover the next 40 years it is clear that development around rail can substantially contribute to oursupply of affordable housing According to the 2019 Hawaii Housing Planning Study Oahu willneed an additional 22168 residential units by 2025 with half of the need for households withcombined incomes of $75000 or less
Rail is needed to alleviate traffic and provide walkable neighborhoodsAs Oahu plans for the future we should be focused on housing constructed in walkable urbanneighborhoods with easy access to amenities parks and transit To support the smartaffordable and sustainable growth that is needed we should be building around rail-but first wemust complete the rail Access to rail offers an alternative to driving is likely to reduce traffic for
1 July 2020 State Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning and Implementation Project for theisland of Dahu by PBR Hawaii for the Hawaii State Office of Planning Attachment C
communities along the Leeward Coast and wHI create a more equitable way to access theurban core of Honolulu
We strongly urge the council to pass Bill 40 and to continue to work towards creating acomprehensive affordable housing strategy for the residents of Oahu Completing the rail is vitalto enable housing construction but it will take further efforts to ensure that a majority of housingis reserved for local residents and stays affordable over time
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify
Kenna Stormogipsonkennahibudgetorg
October 5 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer And Council Members
Honolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accomodation Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members
I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transient accommodations tax forthe City and County of Honolulu In addition I respectfully request a portion of this generatedtax to be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project We all realize the pastchallenges of the rail project but now have a great opportunity to position HART for a successfulcompletion of the Rail system
With the new leadership at HART I am more confident than ever that we have the managementindustry tmst transparency technical expertise and action plan required to move this projectahead This dedicated funding source which will be shouldered by our tourist will allowconstruction to continue toward a successful completion for ALL of us This will also spurTransit Oriented Deveiopment around the system to help create housing and businessopportunities in our communities
Thank you for this opportunity to submit my support for Bill 40 and to generate an additionalrevenue source for HART
Respectfully
Dexter Kubota PEVice President
dkubota bowersandkubotacom
a a aareg
aqJrsquoJ1001 Bishop Street I Suite 625 I Honolulu HI 96213-28301-866-295-7282 I Fax 808-536-2882
bull aarporghi I aarphiaarporg I twittercomAARPHawaiI
H auva i I
Honolulu City CouncilOctober 6 2021 1000 am
TO The Honorable Tommy Waters ChairpersonRE Bill 40mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the Committee
My name is Kealirsquoi Lopez and I am the State Director for AARP Hawairsquoi AARP is a membershiporganization of people age fifty and over with nearly 145000 members in HawaiiAARP Hawaii supports Bill 40 which seeks to establish transient accommodations tax (TAT) forthe City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and facilitate thereceipt and deposit of the revenue derived
We respectfully wish to add our comment and support for a dedicated percentage of the TATthat will support the mass transit project Having an ongoing dedicated source of funding willhelp pay for mass transit project the ongoing operations and maintenance of the system afterconstruction has been completed and without the need to raise property taxes
AARP has been a strong proponent of an age-friendly community that includesbull Multi-modal forms of transportation for people of all ages Rail affords another
transportation option for Honolulu especially for seniors and those who cannot affordthe high costs of owning a vehicle
bull Transit Orient Developments (TaD) with affordable housings built within walking andbiking distance of major rail stations
Bill 40 provides an opportunity for the City to modernize and complete our transportationinfrastructure Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will help restore confidencewith the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) and could potentially unlock additionalfederal funding opportunities and other public sources to finish the project Thank you for theopportunity to testify in support of Bill 40
Sincerely
lsquos--rsquo hr
Kealirsquoi Lopez State Director
klopezaarporg
BIABUILDING INDUSTRY
A S SOC AT ION ana
TESTIMONY TO THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCILHONOLULU HALE
COUNCIL CHAMBERSOctober 6 2021
900 AM
Honorable Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Council
RE Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
My name is Daryl Takamiya Chair of the Government Relations Committee of the BuildingIndustry Association of Hawaii (BIA-HawaN) Chartered in 1955 the Building IndustryAssociation of Hawaii is a professional trade organization affiliated with the National Associationof Home Builders representing the building industry and its associates BIA-HawaH takes aleadership role in unifying and promoting the interests of the industry to enhance the quality oflife for the people of Hawah Our members build the communities we all call home
BIA-Hawaii is in support of Bill 40 which would establish a transient accommodations tax for theCity and County of Honolulu specifically the portion of the bill that would provide for a depositinto the established transit fund
BIA-Hawaii continues to support the transit system on the island of Oahu because it willincrease the availability of housing as transit-oriented development communities are built Thelack of affordable housing and other quality of life issues continue to plague our communitiesImproving transportation will only help to alleviate these issues and without a completed railproject affordable housing goals will not be met Bill 40 will be an important component toensure that the transit system is brought to successful completion
We appreciate the opportunity to express our views on Sill 40
Stefanie Y Sakamotostefsakamotoconsultingcom
tamp 006-629-7501 94-487 Akoki St Ste 213 wwwbiahawakorg
fax 808-629-7701 Waipahu HI 9679 infobiahawaiiorg
From CLK Council Into
Sent Tuesday October 5 2021 657 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Stanford Masui
Phone
Email standamanniasuigmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-202 1
CouncilPHBudgetCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40
YOLIE positionOppose
on the matter
Representing Organization
Organization RAILSOS (Study Other Solutions)
Chairman Waters and members of the councilOur organization opposes this bill as written1 It assumes that a portion of the TAT will be set aside for a transit fund for the rail Thisassumption should not he made without a vigorous discussion as whether funds should hesiphoned off for a project that is no longer financially viable To put it bluntly why ldquothrowgood money after badrdquo
2 The rail is at an inflection point as to whether it should he constructed beyond its currentendpoint at Middle St or further intensive study as to viable alternatives rather thancontinuing on to Ala Moana at a prohibitive cost Past VIA administrators have urged the cityto consider modification of its plans a clear signal that additional funding may not beforthcoming
Wutten3 Transit Oriented Development is a myth Most of the buildina of condos in the KapiolaniTestimony -corridor were planned without any consideration of the rail route This is amply demonstratedby the fact that while HART struggles to come up with a funding plan and completion to AlaMoana is questionable developers are proceeding to build The numbers and actual cost ofaffordable housing in these condos are still too expensive for most people to afford Only onemajor project currently is in Ewa and that was planned years before the rail was developed
4 There are urgent issues that require immediate and priority funding homelessness and themental health system police fire and emergency services funding road and highwayimprovement and cleanup and improvement of tourist recreational areas such as parks andbeaches
5 Rather than triggering economic growth the public will be saddled with enormous debt bythe borrowed funding and operational expense estimated variously at present at $120- $150
million per year Electricity costs will cause operational expense to double This project couldbankrupt the city
6 HART should develop a funding or recovery plan before it comes to the council for aportion of TAT revenues
7 The final Environmental Impact Statement indicates only a minimal effect in alleviatingtraffic congestion which is the major argument in favor of funding the rail- The motoringpublic will not see any improvement in driving times and the studies were made years agoand are no longer reliable
The Council is urged to delete any provision that funds the rail in favor of funding otherurgent prioritiesThank you for your consideration
Te stin]on yAttachment
Accept TermsI
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 730 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Leslie M Inouye
Phone
Email Iinouyel4gmai1com
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHBuddeget
Committee
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position onOppose
the matter
Representing Self
Organization
Chairman Waters and City Council I and many others who have only recently becomeaware of Bill 40 must oppose the the use of the TAT to help fund rail It seems there are any
Writtennumber of backdoor plans to find the funds for rail despite the ongoing litany of items thateither have no clear fix andor no specific bottom line At some point you must realize thatTestimony
the rail is not a sustainable to use the popular contemporary term project and to continuepursuing this immense burden portends financial ruin for all of us Please let common senserule your decisions
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IF 19216820067
1
1 PETER A GANABANbull Business Manager
ampcretarj- Treasure
ALFONSO OlIVERPesident
JOBY NORTh IIlice President
TONI FIG(ERO4Recording Secretary
JAMES DRLrsquoMGOLD JRExecutiye Bd
ORLANDO PAESTEExecutive Board
JOSFIrsquoK jAWEsecutiw Board
ESTIIERAILA4udaor
RUSSELl NAPIIIA-4Auditor
SI lsquoIRK TRAVALINO4uJior
MAITINARAN4YDOamprgearn-dt-Arms
LIUNA Local 3681617 Palarna StreetHonolulu HI 96817
Phone (808) 841-5877Fax (808)847-7829
wiwIocaI368org
LiUNA
TESTIMONY OF THE HAWAII LABORERSrsquo UNION LOCAL 358
Honolulu City CouncilCouncil Meeting
Wednesday October 6 20211000 AM
RE Bill 40(2021) mdash RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATION TAX(TAT)
Chair Waters Vice-chair Kiarsquoaina and Council Members
The Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 and its 5000 working and retired men andwomen across the state of Hawaii stand in strong support of Bill 40(2021) whichestablishes a transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) for the City and Countyof Honolulu
The TAT funding proposed in Bill 40 would allow the City and County of Honoluluto maintain and preserve our island while mitigating the impacts of our naturalresources while also building new and existing infrastructure - including theHonolulu Rail Project This proposed measure would help generate much neededrevenue while having our island visitors help in sharing the cost
Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 respectfully requests that the council takefavorable action on this measure and support Bill 40
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony
Shingayi MasiyaGovernment Relations Director
Feel the Power
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 754 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Paul Yonamine
PhoneEmail paulyonaminecpbbank
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncil
Committee
Agenda Item Testimony and Support for Bill 40Your position
Supporton the mailer
Representing Self
Organization
Testimony and Support for Bill 40
I am Paul Yonamine Executive Chairman of Central Pacific Bank andI am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transientaccommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of thisamount I would respectfully request that a portion be set aside for thecompletion of the Honolulu rail project This new revenue source atourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both ofwhom will use and ride a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steadypace Work on utility relocation also continues Work either out to bidor ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficult section of
Written Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and aTestimony dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of a
system that wilt transform Oahu - Westside families will have theoption to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending anhourdivide in traffic Transit-oriented developments (TOD) to includeaffordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances
Rail and TOD represents the single most important economic driverfor the City and County of Honolulu and the state of Hawaii It alsopresents an invaluable opportunity for more affordable housingdevelopment for generations to come Donrsquot stop and impedeprogress of rail because of past project mismanagement We shouldmake sure the project is fully funded and that capable projectmanagers are hired positioned and empowered to complete thisproject
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support andlook forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 824 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Michael KamakaPhone
Email mkamakabowersandkubotacomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40 - Transient Accommodations TaxYour position
Supporton the matterRepresenting SelfOrganization
October 6 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer and Council MembersHonolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Sill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodation TaxDear Chair Waters and MembersPlease accept this written testimony of my support of Bill 40 toestablish a transient accommodations tax for the City and County ofHonolulu Under Sill 40
Written I believe a transient accommodations tax collects the fair and equitableTestimony amount from visitors who enjoy our City and County of Honolulu today
and in the future The tax will provide funding to mitigate impacts ofvisitors by providing money to support the restoration and maintenanceof public facilitiesAs part of the mitigation to the impacts of visitors I respectfully requesta portion of this transient accommodations tax be set aside to supportthe completion of the Honolulu rail project A rail system will helpmitigate the impacts by visitors in the Honolulu area by providing acleaner alternative of transportation thereby minimizing pollutantscaused by vehicle traffic and congestionAlthough there has been fiscal schedule and constructabilitychallenges there is a renewed hope and optimism for the completionof the rail system A renewable source of funding is the opportunity toposition HART for a successful completion of the rail system With new
1
leadership at HART I am confident HART has the people industrytrust transparency technical expertise and viable action plan neededto move this project ahead Funding through a portion of the transientaccommodation tax will provide a sustainable and dedicated fundingsource to allow construction to continueThank you for allowing me this opportunity to submit my support for Bill40Respectfully
Michael Kamaka PE Principal
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 353 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Nelisa Asato
Phone
Email nasatomatsoncomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee CouncilAgenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter SupportRepresenting Organization
Organization Matson Navigation Company IncWritten Testimony
Testimony AttachmentAccept Terms and Agreement 1
IP 19216820067
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 419 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Denise Boisvert
Phone
Email infofordeniseyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
YES I FULLY SUPPORT Bill 40 proposed by ChairWaters
Written Testimony All the requirements in the proposed bill are EXCELLENT
Mahalo to all for your kind consideration to more this billforward
Testimony Attachment
AcceptTerms and1
Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 418 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mary Kate Duggan
Phone
Email marykateelizabethduggangmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Resolution 21-234
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
Written Testimony
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and Agreement 1
lP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 423 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Kim Jorgensen
Phone
Email hawaiicondoyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on thematter
Support
Representing SelfOrganization
Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony on Bill 40 IWritten Testimonyfully SUPPORT it
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and1Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
HAwAII STATE AFL-CIO888 Mililani Street Suite 501 bull Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Randy Perreira Telephone (808)597-1441President Fax (808) 593-2149
City CouncilCity and County of Honolulu
Testimony byHawairsquoi State AFL-CIO
October 6 2021
Testimony in SUPPORT of Bill 40 Relating tothe Transient Accommodations Tax
The Hawairsquoi State AFL-CIO is a state federation of 74 affiliate local unions and councils with over68000 members across both public and private sectors We appreciate the opportunity to testify insupport of Bill 40
Of all counties in the state swift measures must be taken to mitigate the negative impact overtourismhas on Honolulursquos infrastructure Traffic congestion in Honolulu is exacerbated by the visitorindustry Establishing a three percent transient accommodations tax is key to generating the revenueneeded to invest in Orsquoahursquos public transportation system The Honolulu Rail Transit Project is apublic good that will benefit 0rsquo ahu workers residents and visitors alike by providing a publictransportation option that complements The Bus and further relieves traffic congestion where it ismost needed
We appreciate your consideration of our testimony in support of Bill 40 and strongly urge you to passthis bill
ectfullysnitted
Randy PerreiraPresident
Dion DizonQfbwtcio org
HAWAII APPLESEEDCENTER FOR LAW amp ECONOMIC JUSTTCE
Testimony of the Hawairsquoi Appleseed Center for Law and Economic JusticeSUPPORT mdash Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
City and County of HonoluluWednesday October 6 2021 10AM
Aloha Chair Waters and Councilmembers
We at Hawaii Appleseed strongly support Bill 40 and efforts to use TAT funds to complete therail project as it will dramatically increase the housing stock in TOD areas and create efficientand equitable access to transit To support the affordable housing that Oahu desperately needswe must finish the rail and provide the subsidies needed to ensure that housing is prioritized forlocal residents and stays affordable over the long-term
In addition we urge the council to provide that a fixed percentage of the TAT be allocatedto rail funding so the project can be completed in a fiscally responsible way with a securefunding stream Ideally all of the necessary funds for completion and ongoing maintenance cancome from this dedicated funding which is paid for by visitors to Oahu
Finishing the rail will enable thousands of homes to be built along the rail corridor Withappropriate affordability restrictions and public support these homes can address the severeshortage of affordable housing here on Oahu A recent 2020 study prepared by PBR Hawaii forthe Hawaii Office of Planning estimates the addition of 50900 residential units around the EastKapolei Stadium and lwilei TOD areas alone1rsquo Although these homes will be built in phasesover the next 40 years it is clear that development around rail can substantially contribute to oursupply of affordable housing According to the 2019 Hawaii Housing Planning Study Oahu willneed an additional 22168 residential units by 2025 with half of the need for households withcombined incomes of $75000 or less
Rail is needed to alleviate traffic and provide walkable neighborhoodsAs Oahu plans for the future we should be focused on housing constructed in walkable urbanneighborhoods with easy access to amenities parks and transit To support the smartaffordable and sustainable growth that is needed we should be building around rail-but first wemust complete the rail Access to rail offers an alternative to driving is likely to reduce traffic for
1 July 2020 State Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning and Implementation Project for theisland of Dahu by PBR Hawaii for the Hawaii State Office of Planning Attachment C
communities along the Leeward Coast and wHI create a more equitable way to access theurban core of Honolulu
We strongly urge the council to pass Bill 40 and to continue to work towards creating acomprehensive affordable housing strategy for the residents of Oahu Completing the rail is vitalto enable housing construction but it will take further efforts to ensure that a majority of housingis reserved for local residents and stays affordable over time
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify
Kenna Stormogipsonkennahibudgetorg
October 5 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer And Council Members
Honolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accomodation Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members
I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transient accommodations tax forthe City and County of Honolulu In addition I respectfully request a portion of this generatedtax to be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project We all realize the pastchallenges of the rail project but now have a great opportunity to position HART for a successfulcompletion of the Rail system
With the new leadership at HART I am more confident than ever that we have the managementindustry tmst transparency technical expertise and action plan required to move this projectahead This dedicated funding source which will be shouldered by our tourist will allowconstruction to continue toward a successful completion for ALL of us This will also spurTransit Oriented Deveiopment around the system to help create housing and businessopportunities in our communities
Thank you for this opportunity to submit my support for Bill 40 and to generate an additionalrevenue source for HART
Respectfully
Dexter Kubota PEVice President
dkubota bowersandkubotacom
a a aareg
aqJrsquoJ1001 Bishop Street I Suite 625 I Honolulu HI 96213-28301-866-295-7282 I Fax 808-536-2882
bull aarporghi I aarphiaarporg I twittercomAARPHawaiI
H auva i I
Honolulu City CouncilOctober 6 2021 1000 am
TO The Honorable Tommy Waters ChairpersonRE Bill 40mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the Committee
My name is Kealirsquoi Lopez and I am the State Director for AARP Hawairsquoi AARP is a membershiporganization of people age fifty and over with nearly 145000 members in HawaiiAARP Hawaii supports Bill 40 which seeks to establish transient accommodations tax (TAT) forthe City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and facilitate thereceipt and deposit of the revenue derived
We respectfully wish to add our comment and support for a dedicated percentage of the TATthat will support the mass transit project Having an ongoing dedicated source of funding willhelp pay for mass transit project the ongoing operations and maintenance of the system afterconstruction has been completed and without the need to raise property taxes
AARP has been a strong proponent of an age-friendly community that includesbull Multi-modal forms of transportation for people of all ages Rail affords another
transportation option for Honolulu especially for seniors and those who cannot affordthe high costs of owning a vehicle
bull Transit Orient Developments (TaD) with affordable housings built within walking andbiking distance of major rail stations
Bill 40 provides an opportunity for the City to modernize and complete our transportationinfrastructure Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will help restore confidencewith the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) and could potentially unlock additionalfederal funding opportunities and other public sources to finish the project Thank you for theopportunity to testify in support of Bill 40
Sincerely
lsquos--rsquo hr
Kealirsquoi Lopez State Director
klopezaarporg
BIABUILDING INDUSTRY
A S SOC AT ION ana
TESTIMONY TO THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCILHONOLULU HALE
COUNCIL CHAMBERSOctober 6 2021
900 AM
Honorable Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Council
RE Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
My name is Daryl Takamiya Chair of the Government Relations Committee of the BuildingIndustry Association of Hawaii (BIA-HawaN) Chartered in 1955 the Building IndustryAssociation of Hawaii is a professional trade organization affiliated with the National Associationof Home Builders representing the building industry and its associates BIA-HawaH takes aleadership role in unifying and promoting the interests of the industry to enhance the quality oflife for the people of Hawah Our members build the communities we all call home
BIA-Hawaii is in support of Bill 40 which would establish a transient accommodations tax for theCity and County of Honolulu specifically the portion of the bill that would provide for a depositinto the established transit fund
BIA-Hawaii continues to support the transit system on the island of Oahu because it willincrease the availability of housing as transit-oriented development communities are built Thelack of affordable housing and other quality of life issues continue to plague our communitiesImproving transportation will only help to alleviate these issues and without a completed railproject affordable housing goals will not be met Bill 40 will be an important component toensure that the transit system is brought to successful completion
We appreciate the opportunity to express our views on Sill 40
Stefanie Y Sakamotostefsakamotoconsultingcom
tamp 006-629-7501 94-487 Akoki St Ste 213 wwwbiahawakorg
fax 808-629-7701 Waipahu HI 9679 infobiahawaiiorg
From CLK Council Into
Sent Tuesday October 5 2021 657 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Stanford Masui
Phone
Email standamanniasuigmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-202 1
CouncilPHBudgetCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40
YOLIE positionOppose
on the matter
Representing Organization
Organization RAILSOS (Study Other Solutions)
Chairman Waters and members of the councilOur organization opposes this bill as written1 It assumes that a portion of the TAT will be set aside for a transit fund for the rail Thisassumption should not he made without a vigorous discussion as whether funds should hesiphoned off for a project that is no longer financially viable To put it bluntly why ldquothrowgood money after badrdquo
2 The rail is at an inflection point as to whether it should he constructed beyond its currentendpoint at Middle St or further intensive study as to viable alternatives rather thancontinuing on to Ala Moana at a prohibitive cost Past VIA administrators have urged the cityto consider modification of its plans a clear signal that additional funding may not beforthcoming
Wutten3 Transit Oriented Development is a myth Most of the buildina of condos in the KapiolaniTestimony -corridor were planned without any consideration of the rail route This is amply demonstratedby the fact that while HART struggles to come up with a funding plan and completion to AlaMoana is questionable developers are proceeding to build The numbers and actual cost ofaffordable housing in these condos are still too expensive for most people to afford Only onemajor project currently is in Ewa and that was planned years before the rail was developed
4 There are urgent issues that require immediate and priority funding homelessness and themental health system police fire and emergency services funding road and highwayimprovement and cleanup and improvement of tourist recreational areas such as parks andbeaches
5 Rather than triggering economic growth the public will be saddled with enormous debt bythe borrowed funding and operational expense estimated variously at present at $120- $150
million per year Electricity costs will cause operational expense to double This project couldbankrupt the city
6 HART should develop a funding or recovery plan before it comes to the council for aportion of TAT revenues
7 The final Environmental Impact Statement indicates only a minimal effect in alleviatingtraffic congestion which is the major argument in favor of funding the rail- The motoringpublic will not see any improvement in driving times and the studies were made years agoand are no longer reliable
The Council is urged to delete any provision that funds the rail in favor of funding otherurgent prioritiesThank you for your consideration
Te stin]on yAttachment
Accept TermsI
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 730 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Leslie M Inouye
Phone
Email Iinouyel4gmai1com
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHBuddeget
Committee
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position onOppose
the matter
Representing Self
Organization
Chairman Waters and City Council I and many others who have only recently becomeaware of Bill 40 must oppose the the use of the TAT to help fund rail It seems there are any
Writtennumber of backdoor plans to find the funds for rail despite the ongoing litany of items thateither have no clear fix andor no specific bottom line At some point you must realize thatTestimony
the rail is not a sustainable to use the popular contemporary term project and to continuepursuing this immense burden portends financial ruin for all of us Please let common senserule your decisions
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IF 19216820067
1
1 PETER A GANABANbull Business Manager
ampcretarj- Treasure
ALFONSO OlIVERPesident
JOBY NORTh IIlice President
TONI FIG(ERO4Recording Secretary
JAMES DRLrsquoMGOLD JRExecutiye Bd
ORLANDO PAESTEExecutive Board
JOSFIrsquoK jAWEsecutiw Board
ESTIIERAILA4udaor
RUSSELl NAPIIIA-4Auditor
SI lsquoIRK TRAVALINO4uJior
MAITINARAN4YDOamprgearn-dt-Arms
LIUNA Local 3681617 Palarna StreetHonolulu HI 96817
Phone (808) 841-5877Fax (808)847-7829
wiwIocaI368org
LiUNA
TESTIMONY OF THE HAWAII LABORERSrsquo UNION LOCAL 358
Honolulu City CouncilCouncil Meeting
Wednesday October 6 20211000 AM
RE Bill 40(2021) mdash RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATION TAX(TAT)
Chair Waters Vice-chair Kiarsquoaina and Council Members
The Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 and its 5000 working and retired men andwomen across the state of Hawaii stand in strong support of Bill 40(2021) whichestablishes a transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) for the City and Countyof Honolulu
The TAT funding proposed in Bill 40 would allow the City and County of Honoluluto maintain and preserve our island while mitigating the impacts of our naturalresources while also building new and existing infrastructure - including theHonolulu Rail Project This proposed measure would help generate much neededrevenue while having our island visitors help in sharing the cost
Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 respectfully requests that the council takefavorable action on this measure and support Bill 40
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony
Shingayi MasiyaGovernment Relations Director
Feel the Power
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 754 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Paul Yonamine
PhoneEmail paulyonaminecpbbank
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncil
Committee
Agenda Item Testimony and Support for Bill 40Your position
Supporton the mailer
Representing Self
Organization
Testimony and Support for Bill 40
I am Paul Yonamine Executive Chairman of Central Pacific Bank andI am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transientaccommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of thisamount I would respectfully request that a portion be set aside for thecompletion of the Honolulu rail project This new revenue source atourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both ofwhom will use and ride a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steadypace Work on utility relocation also continues Work either out to bidor ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficult section of
Written Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and aTestimony dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of a
system that wilt transform Oahu - Westside families will have theoption to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending anhourdivide in traffic Transit-oriented developments (TOD) to includeaffordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances
Rail and TOD represents the single most important economic driverfor the City and County of Honolulu and the state of Hawaii It alsopresents an invaluable opportunity for more affordable housingdevelopment for generations to come Donrsquot stop and impedeprogress of rail because of past project mismanagement We shouldmake sure the project is fully funded and that capable projectmanagers are hired positioned and empowered to complete thisproject
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support andlook forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 824 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Michael KamakaPhone
Email mkamakabowersandkubotacomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40 - Transient Accommodations TaxYour position
Supporton the matterRepresenting SelfOrganization
October 6 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer and Council MembersHonolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Sill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodation TaxDear Chair Waters and MembersPlease accept this written testimony of my support of Bill 40 toestablish a transient accommodations tax for the City and County ofHonolulu Under Sill 40
Written I believe a transient accommodations tax collects the fair and equitableTestimony amount from visitors who enjoy our City and County of Honolulu today
and in the future The tax will provide funding to mitigate impacts ofvisitors by providing money to support the restoration and maintenanceof public facilitiesAs part of the mitigation to the impacts of visitors I respectfully requesta portion of this transient accommodations tax be set aside to supportthe completion of the Honolulu rail project A rail system will helpmitigate the impacts by visitors in the Honolulu area by providing acleaner alternative of transportation thereby minimizing pollutantscaused by vehicle traffic and congestionAlthough there has been fiscal schedule and constructabilitychallenges there is a renewed hope and optimism for the completionof the rail system A renewable source of funding is the opportunity toposition HART for a successful completion of the rail system With new
1
leadership at HART I am confident HART has the people industrytrust transparency technical expertise and viable action plan neededto move this project ahead Funding through a portion of the transientaccommodation tax will provide a sustainable and dedicated fundingsource to allow construction to continueThank you for allowing me this opportunity to submit my support for Bill40Respectfully
Michael Kamaka PE Principal
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 419 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Denise Boisvert
Phone
Email infofordeniseyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
YES I FULLY SUPPORT Bill 40 proposed by ChairWaters
Written Testimony All the requirements in the proposed bill are EXCELLENT
Mahalo to all for your kind consideration to more this billforward
Testimony Attachment
AcceptTerms and1
Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 418 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mary Kate Duggan
Phone
Email marykateelizabethduggangmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Resolution 21-234
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
Written Testimony
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and Agreement 1
lP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 423 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Kim Jorgensen
Phone
Email hawaiicondoyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on thematter
Support
Representing SelfOrganization
Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony on Bill 40 IWritten Testimonyfully SUPPORT it
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and1Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
HAwAII STATE AFL-CIO888 Mililani Street Suite 501 bull Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Randy Perreira Telephone (808)597-1441President Fax (808) 593-2149
City CouncilCity and County of Honolulu
Testimony byHawairsquoi State AFL-CIO
October 6 2021
Testimony in SUPPORT of Bill 40 Relating tothe Transient Accommodations Tax
The Hawairsquoi State AFL-CIO is a state federation of 74 affiliate local unions and councils with over68000 members across both public and private sectors We appreciate the opportunity to testify insupport of Bill 40
Of all counties in the state swift measures must be taken to mitigate the negative impact overtourismhas on Honolulursquos infrastructure Traffic congestion in Honolulu is exacerbated by the visitorindustry Establishing a three percent transient accommodations tax is key to generating the revenueneeded to invest in Orsquoahursquos public transportation system The Honolulu Rail Transit Project is apublic good that will benefit 0rsquo ahu workers residents and visitors alike by providing a publictransportation option that complements The Bus and further relieves traffic congestion where it ismost needed
We appreciate your consideration of our testimony in support of Bill 40 and strongly urge you to passthis bill
ectfullysnitted
Randy PerreiraPresident
Dion DizonQfbwtcio org
HAWAII APPLESEEDCENTER FOR LAW amp ECONOMIC JUSTTCE
Testimony of the Hawairsquoi Appleseed Center for Law and Economic JusticeSUPPORT mdash Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
City and County of HonoluluWednesday October 6 2021 10AM
Aloha Chair Waters and Councilmembers
We at Hawaii Appleseed strongly support Bill 40 and efforts to use TAT funds to complete therail project as it will dramatically increase the housing stock in TOD areas and create efficientand equitable access to transit To support the affordable housing that Oahu desperately needswe must finish the rail and provide the subsidies needed to ensure that housing is prioritized forlocal residents and stays affordable over the long-term
In addition we urge the council to provide that a fixed percentage of the TAT be allocatedto rail funding so the project can be completed in a fiscally responsible way with a securefunding stream Ideally all of the necessary funds for completion and ongoing maintenance cancome from this dedicated funding which is paid for by visitors to Oahu
Finishing the rail will enable thousands of homes to be built along the rail corridor Withappropriate affordability restrictions and public support these homes can address the severeshortage of affordable housing here on Oahu A recent 2020 study prepared by PBR Hawaii forthe Hawaii Office of Planning estimates the addition of 50900 residential units around the EastKapolei Stadium and lwilei TOD areas alone1rsquo Although these homes will be built in phasesover the next 40 years it is clear that development around rail can substantially contribute to oursupply of affordable housing According to the 2019 Hawaii Housing Planning Study Oahu willneed an additional 22168 residential units by 2025 with half of the need for households withcombined incomes of $75000 or less
Rail is needed to alleviate traffic and provide walkable neighborhoodsAs Oahu plans for the future we should be focused on housing constructed in walkable urbanneighborhoods with easy access to amenities parks and transit To support the smartaffordable and sustainable growth that is needed we should be building around rail-but first wemust complete the rail Access to rail offers an alternative to driving is likely to reduce traffic for
1 July 2020 State Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning and Implementation Project for theisland of Dahu by PBR Hawaii for the Hawaii State Office of Planning Attachment C
communities along the Leeward Coast and wHI create a more equitable way to access theurban core of Honolulu
We strongly urge the council to pass Bill 40 and to continue to work towards creating acomprehensive affordable housing strategy for the residents of Oahu Completing the rail is vitalto enable housing construction but it will take further efforts to ensure that a majority of housingis reserved for local residents and stays affordable over time
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify
Kenna Stormogipsonkennahibudgetorg
October 5 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer And Council Members
Honolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accomodation Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members
I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transient accommodations tax forthe City and County of Honolulu In addition I respectfully request a portion of this generatedtax to be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project We all realize the pastchallenges of the rail project but now have a great opportunity to position HART for a successfulcompletion of the Rail system
With the new leadership at HART I am more confident than ever that we have the managementindustry tmst transparency technical expertise and action plan required to move this projectahead This dedicated funding source which will be shouldered by our tourist will allowconstruction to continue toward a successful completion for ALL of us This will also spurTransit Oriented Deveiopment around the system to help create housing and businessopportunities in our communities
Thank you for this opportunity to submit my support for Bill 40 and to generate an additionalrevenue source for HART
Respectfully
Dexter Kubota PEVice President
dkubota bowersandkubotacom
a a aareg
aqJrsquoJ1001 Bishop Street I Suite 625 I Honolulu HI 96213-28301-866-295-7282 I Fax 808-536-2882
bull aarporghi I aarphiaarporg I twittercomAARPHawaiI
H auva i I
Honolulu City CouncilOctober 6 2021 1000 am
TO The Honorable Tommy Waters ChairpersonRE Bill 40mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the Committee
My name is Kealirsquoi Lopez and I am the State Director for AARP Hawairsquoi AARP is a membershiporganization of people age fifty and over with nearly 145000 members in HawaiiAARP Hawaii supports Bill 40 which seeks to establish transient accommodations tax (TAT) forthe City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and facilitate thereceipt and deposit of the revenue derived
We respectfully wish to add our comment and support for a dedicated percentage of the TATthat will support the mass transit project Having an ongoing dedicated source of funding willhelp pay for mass transit project the ongoing operations and maintenance of the system afterconstruction has been completed and without the need to raise property taxes
AARP has been a strong proponent of an age-friendly community that includesbull Multi-modal forms of transportation for people of all ages Rail affords another
transportation option for Honolulu especially for seniors and those who cannot affordthe high costs of owning a vehicle
bull Transit Orient Developments (TaD) with affordable housings built within walking andbiking distance of major rail stations
Bill 40 provides an opportunity for the City to modernize and complete our transportationinfrastructure Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will help restore confidencewith the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) and could potentially unlock additionalfederal funding opportunities and other public sources to finish the project Thank you for theopportunity to testify in support of Bill 40
Sincerely
lsquos--rsquo hr
Kealirsquoi Lopez State Director
klopezaarporg
BIABUILDING INDUSTRY
A S SOC AT ION ana
TESTIMONY TO THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCILHONOLULU HALE
COUNCIL CHAMBERSOctober 6 2021
900 AM
Honorable Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Council
RE Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
My name is Daryl Takamiya Chair of the Government Relations Committee of the BuildingIndustry Association of Hawaii (BIA-HawaN) Chartered in 1955 the Building IndustryAssociation of Hawaii is a professional trade organization affiliated with the National Associationof Home Builders representing the building industry and its associates BIA-HawaH takes aleadership role in unifying and promoting the interests of the industry to enhance the quality oflife for the people of Hawah Our members build the communities we all call home
BIA-Hawaii is in support of Bill 40 which would establish a transient accommodations tax for theCity and County of Honolulu specifically the portion of the bill that would provide for a depositinto the established transit fund
BIA-Hawaii continues to support the transit system on the island of Oahu because it willincrease the availability of housing as transit-oriented development communities are built Thelack of affordable housing and other quality of life issues continue to plague our communitiesImproving transportation will only help to alleviate these issues and without a completed railproject affordable housing goals will not be met Bill 40 will be an important component toensure that the transit system is brought to successful completion
We appreciate the opportunity to express our views on Sill 40
Stefanie Y Sakamotostefsakamotoconsultingcom
tamp 006-629-7501 94-487 Akoki St Ste 213 wwwbiahawakorg
fax 808-629-7701 Waipahu HI 9679 infobiahawaiiorg
From CLK Council Into
Sent Tuesday October 5 2021 657 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Stanford Masui
Phone
Email standamanniasuigmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-202 1
CouncilPHBudgetCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40
YOLIE positionOppose
on the matter
Representing Organization
Organization RAILSOS (Study Other Solutions)
Chairman Waters and members of the councilOur organization opposes this bill as written1 It assumes that a portion of the TAT will be set aside for a transit fund for the rail Thisassumption should not he made without a vigorous discussion as whether funds should hesiphoned off for a project that is no longer financially viable To put it bluntly why ldquothrowgood money after badrdquo
2 The rail is at an inflection point as to whether it should he constructed beyond its currentendpoint at Middle St or further intensive study as to viable alternatives rather thancontinuing on to Ala Moana at a prohibitive cost Past VIA administrators have urged the cityto consider modification of its plans a clear signal that additional funding may not beforthcoming
Wutten3 Transit Oriented Development is a myth Most of the buildina of condos in the KapiolaniTestimony -corridor were planned without any consideration of the rail route This is amply demonstratedby the fact that while HART struggles to come up with a funding plan and completion to AlaMoana is questionable developers are proceeding to build The numbers and actual cost ofaffordable housing in these condos are still too expensive for most people to afford Only onemajor project currently is in Ewa and that was planned years before the rail was developed
4 There are urgent issues that require immediate and priority funding homelessness and themental health system police fire and emergency services funding road and highwayimprovement and cleanup and improvement of tourist recreational areas such as parks andbeaches
5 Rather than triggering economic growth the public will be saddled with enormous debt bythe borrowed funding and operational expense estimated variously at present at $120- $150
million per year Electricity costs will cause operational expense to double This project couldbankrupt the city
6 HART should develop a funding or recovery plan before it comes to the council for aportion of TAT revenues
7 The final Environmental Impact Statement indicates only a minimal effect in alleviatingtraffic congestion which is the major argument in favor of funding the rail- The motoringpublic will not see any improvement in driving times and the studies were made years agoand are no longer reliable
The Council is urged to delete any provision that funds the rail in favor of funding otherurgent prioritiesThank you for your consideration
Te stin]on yAttachment
Accept TermsI
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 730 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Leslie M Inouye
Phone
Email Iinouyel4gmai1com
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHBuddeget
Committee
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position onOppose
the matter
Representing Self
Organization
Chairman Waters and City Council I and many others who have only recently becomeaware of Bill 40 must oppose the the use of the TAT to help fund rail It seems there are any
Writtennumber of backdoor plans to find the funds for rail despite the ongoing litany of items thateither have no clear fix andor no specific bottom line At some point you must realize thatTestimony
the rail is not a sustainable to use the popular contemporary term project and to continuepursuing this immense burden portends financial ruin for all of us Please let common senserule your decisions
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IF 19216820067
1
1 PETER A GANABANbull Business Manager
ampcretarj- Treasure
ALFONSO OlIVERPesident
JOBY NORTh IIlice President
TONI FIG(ERO4Recording Secretary
JAMES DRLrsquoMGOLD JRExecutiye Bd
ORLANDO PAESTEExecutive Board
JOSFIrsquoK jAWEsecutiw Board
ESTIIERAILA4udaor
RUSSELl NAPIIIA-4Auditor
SI lsquoIRK TRAVALINO4uJior
MAITINARAN4YDOamprgearn-dt-Arms
LIUNA Local 3681617 Palarna StreetHonolulu HI 96817
Phone (808) 841-5877Fax (808)847-7829
wiwIocaI368org
LiUNA
TESTIMONY OF THE HAWAII LABORERSrsquo UNION LOCAL 358
Honolulu City CouncilCouncil Meeting
Wednesday October 6 20211000 AM
RE Bill 40(2021) mdash RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATION TAX(TAT)
Chair Waters Vice-chair Kiarsquoaina and Council Members
The Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 and its 5000 working and retired men andwomen across the state of Hawaii stand in strong support of Bill 40(2021) whichestablishes a transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) for the City and Countyof Honolulu
The TAT funding proposed in Bill 40 would allow the City and County of Honoluluto maintain and preserve our island while mitigating the impacts of our naturalresources while also building new and existing infrastructure - including theHonolulu Rail Project This proposed measure would help generate much neededrevenue while having our island visitors help in sharing the cost
Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 respectfully requests that the council takefavorable action on this measure and support Bill 40
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony
Shingayi MasiyaGovernment Relations Director
Feel the Power
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 754 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Paul Yonamine
PhoneEmail paulyonaminecpbbank
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncil
Committee
Agenda Item Testimony and Support for Bill 40Your position
Supporton the mailer
Representing Self
Organization
Testimony and Support for Bill 40
I am Paul Yonamine Executive Chairman of Central Pacific Bank andI am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transientaccommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of thisamount I would respectfully request that a portion be set aside for thecompletion of the Honolulu rail project This new revenue source atourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both ofwhom will use and ride a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steadypace Work on utility relocation also continues Work either out to bidor ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficult section of
Written Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and aTestimony dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of a
system that wilt transform Oahu - Westside families will have theoption to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending anhourdivide in traffic Transit-oriented developments (TOD) to includeaffordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances
Rail and TOD represents the single most important economic driverfor the City and County of Honolulu and the state of Hawaii It alsopresents an invaluable opportunity for more affordable housingdevelopment for generations to come Donrsquot stop and impedeprogress of rail because of past project mismanagement We shouldmake sure the project is fully funded and that capable projectmanagers are hired positioned and empowered to complete thisproject
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support andlook forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 824 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Michael KamakaPhone
Email mkamakabowersandkubotacomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40 - Transient Accommodations TaxYour position
Supporton the matterRepresenting SelfOrganization
October 6 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer and Council MembersHonolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Sill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodation TaxDear Chair Waters and MembersPlease accept this written testimony of my support of Bill 40 toestablish a transient accommodations tax for the City and County ofHonolulu Under Sill 40
Written I believe a transient accommodations tax collects the fair and equitableTestimony amount from visitors who enjoy our City and County of Honolulu today
and in the future The tax will provide funding to mitigate impacts ofvisitors by providing money to support the restoration and maintenanceof public facilitiesAs part of the mitigation to the impacts of visitors I respectfully requesta portion of this transient accommodations tax be set aside to supportthe completion of the Honolulu rail project A rail system will helpmitigate the impacts by visitors in the Honolulu area by providing acleaner alternative of transportation thereby minimizing pollutantscaused by vehicle traffic and congestionAlthough there has been fiscal schedule and constructabilitychallenges there is a renewed hope and optimism for the completionof the rail system A renewable source of funding is the opportunity toposition HART for a successful completion of the rail system With new
1
leadership at HART I am confident HART has the people industrytrust transparency technical expertise and viable action plan neededto move this project ahead Funding through a portion of the transientaccommodation tax will provide a sustainable and dedicated fundingsource to allow construction to continueThank you for allowing me this opportunity to submit my support for Bill40Respectfully
Michael Kamaka PE Principal
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 418 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Mary Kate Duggan
Phone
Email marykateelizabethduggangmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Resolution 21-234
Your position on the matter Support
Representing Self
Organization
Written Testimony
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and Agreement 1
lP 19216820067
1
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 423 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Kim Jorgensen
Phone
Email hawaiicondoyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on thematter
Support
Representing SelfOrganization
Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony on Bill 40 IWritten Testimonyfully SUPPORT it
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and1Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
HAwAII STATE AFL-CIO888 Mililani Street Suite 501 bull Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Randy Perreira Telephone (808)597-1441President Fax (808) 593-2149
City CouncilCity and County of Honolulu
Testimony byHawairsquoi State AFL-CIO
October 6 2021
Testimony in SUPPORT of Bill 40 Relating tothe Transient Accommodations Tax
The Hawairsquoi State AFL-CIO is a state federation of 74 affiliate local unions and councils with over68000 members across both public and private sectors We appreciate the opportunity to testify insupport of Bill 40
Of all counties in the state swift measures must be taken to mitigate the negative impact overtourismhas on Honolulursquos infrastructure Traffic congestion in Honolulu is exacerbated by the visitorindustry Establishing a three percent transient accommodations tax is key to generating the revenueneeded to invest in Orsquoahursquos public transportation system The Honolulu Rail Transit Project is apublic good that will benefit 0rsquo ahu workers residents and visitors alike by providing a publictransportation option that complements The Bus and further relieves traffic congestion where it ismost needed
We appreciate your consideration of our testimony in support of Bill 40 and strongly urge you to passthis bill
ectfullysnitted
Randy PerreiraPresident
Dion DizonQfbwtcio org
HAWAII APPLESEEDCENTER FOR LAW amp ECONOMIC JUSTTCE
Testimony of the Hawairsquoi Appleseed Center for Law and Economic JusticeSUPPORT mdash Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
City and County of HonoluluWednesday October 6 2021 10AM
Aloha Chair Waters and Councilmembers
We at Hawaii Appleseed strongly support Bill 40 and efforts to use TAT funds to complete therail project as it will dramatically increase the housing stock in TOD areas and create efficientand equitable access to transit To support the affordable housing that Oahu desperately needswe must finish the rail and provide the subsidies needed to ensure that housing is prioritized forlocal residents and stays affordable over the long-term
In addition we urge the council to provide that a fixed percentage of the TAT be allocatedto rail funding so the project can be completed in a fiscally responsible way with a securefunding stream Ideally all of the necessary funds for completion and ongoing maintenance cancome from this dedicated funding which is paid for by visitors to Oahu
Finishing the rail will enable thousands of homes to be built along the rail corridor Withappropriate affordability restrictions and public support these homes can address the severeshortage of affordable housing here on Oahu A recent 2020 study prepared by PBR Hawaii forthe Hawaii Office of Planning estimates the addition of 50900 residential units around the EastKapolei Stadium and lwilei TOD areas alone1rsquo Although these homes will be built in phasesover the next 40 years it is clear that development around rail can substantially contribute to oursupply of affordable housing According to the 2019 Hawaii Housing Planning Study Oahu willneed an additional 22168 residential units by 2025 with half of the need for households withcombined incomes of $75000 or less
Rail is needed to alleviate traffic and provide walkable neighborhoodsAs Oahu plans for the future we should be focused on housing constructed in walkable urbanneighborhoods with easy access to amenities parks and transit To support the smartaffordable and sustainable growth that is needed we should be building around rail-but first wemust complete the rail Access to rail offers an alternative to driving is likely to reduce traffic for
1 July 2020 State Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning and Implementation Project for theisland of Dahu by PBR Hawaii for the Hawaii State Office of Planning Attachment C
communities along the Leeward Coast and wHI create a more equitable way to access theurban core of Honolulu
We strongly urge the council to pass Bill 40 and to continue to work towards creating acomprehensive affordable housing strategy for the residents of Oahu Completing the rail is vitalto enable housing construction but it will take further efforts to ensure that a majority of housingis reserved for local residents and stays affordable over time
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify
Kenna Stormogipsonkennahibudgetorg
October 5 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer And Council Members
Honolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accomodation Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members
I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transient accommodations tax forthe City and County of Honolulu In addition I respectfully request a portion of this generatedtax to be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project We all realize the pastchallenges of the rail project but now have a great opportunity to position HART for a successfulcompletion of the Rail system
With the new leadership at HART I am more confident than ever that we have the managementindustry tmst transparency technical expertise and action plan required to move this projectahead This dedicated funding source which will be shouldered by our tourist will allowconstruction to continue toward a successful completion for ALL of us This will also spurTransit Oriented Deveiopment around the system to help create housing and businessopportunities in our communities
Thank you for this opportunity to submit my support for Bill 40 and to generate an additionalrevenue source for HART
Respectfully
Dexter Kubota PEVice President
dkubota bowersandkubotacom
a a aareg
aqJrsquoJ1001 Bishop Street I Suite 625 I Honolulu HI 96213-28301-866-295-7282 I Fax 808-536-2882
bull aarporghi I aarphiaarporg I twittercomAARPHawaiI
H auva i I
Honolulu City CouncilOctober 6 2021 1000 am
TO The Honorable Tommy Waters ChairpersonRE Bill 40mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the Committee
My name is Kealirsquoi Lopez and I am the State Director for AARP Hawairsquoi AARP is a membershiporganization of people age fifty and over with nearly 145000 members in HawaiiAARP Hawaii supports Bill 40 which seeks to establish transient accommodations tax (TAT) forthe City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and facilitate thereceipt and deposit of the revenue derived
We respectfully wish to add our comment and support for a dedicated percentage of the TATthat will support the mass transit project Having an ongoing dedicated source of funding willhelp pay for mass transit project the ongoing operations and maintenance of the system afterconstruction has been completed and without the need to raise property taxes
AARP has been a strong proponent of an age-friendly community that includesbull Multi-modal forms of transportation for people of all ages Rail affords another
transportation option for Honolulu especially for seniors and those who cannot affordthe high costs of owning a vehicle
bull Transit Orient Developments (TaD) with affordable housings built within walking andbiking distance of major rail stations
Bill 40 provides an opportunity for the City to modernize and complete our transportationinfrastructure Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will help restore confidencewith the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) and could potentially unlock additionalfederal funding opportunities and other public sources to finish the project Thank you for theopportunity to testify in support of Bill 40
Sincerely
lsquos--rsquo hr
Kealirsquoi Lopez State Director
klopezaarporg
BIABUILDING INDUSTRY
A S SOC AT ION ana
TESTIMONY TO THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCILHONOLULU HALE
COUNCIL CHAMBERSOctober 6 2021
900 AM
Honorable Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Council
RE Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
My name is Daryl Takamiya Chair of the Government Relations Committee of the BuildingIndustry Association of Hawaii (BIA-HawaN) Chartered in 1955 the Building IndustryAssociation of Hawaii is a professional trade organization affiliated with the National Associationof Home Builders representing the building industry and its associates BIA-HawaH takes aleadership role in unifying and promoting the interests of the industry to enhance the quality oflife for the people of Hawah Our members build the communities we all call home
BIA-Hawaii is in support of Bill 40 which would establish a transient accommodations tax for theCity and County of Honolulu specifically the portion of the bill that would provide for a depositinto the established transit fund
BIA-Hawaii continues to support the transit system on the island of Oahu because it willincrease the availability of housing as transit-oriented development communities are built Thelack of affordable housing and other quality of life issues continue to plague our communitiesImproving transportation will only help to alleviate these issues and without a completed railproject affordable housing goals will not be met Bill 40 will be an important component toensure that the transit system is brought to successful completion
We appreciate the opportunity to express our views on Sill 40
Stefanie Y Sakamotostefsakamotoconsultingcom
tamp 006-629-7501 94-487 Akoki St Ste 213 wwwbiahawakorg
fax 808-629-7701 Waipahu HI 9679 infobiahawaiiorg
From CLK Council Into
Sent Tuesday October 5 2021 657 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Stanford Masui
Phone
Email standamanniasuigmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-202 1
CouncilPHBudgetCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40
YOLIE positionOppose
on the matter
Representing Organization
Organization RAILSOS (Study Other Solutions)
Chairman Waters and members of the councilOur organization opposes this bill as written1 It assumes that a portion of the TAT will be set aside for a transit fund for the rail Thisassumption should not he made without a vigorous discussion as whether funds should hesiphoned off for a project that is no longer financially viable To put it bluntly why ldquothrowgood money after badrdquo
2 The rail is at an inflection point as to whether it should he constructed beyond its currentendpoint at Middle St or further intensive study as to viable alternatives rather thancontinuing on to Ala Moana at a prohibitive cost Past VIA administrators have urged the cityto consider modification of its plans a clear signal that additional funding may not beforthcoming
Wutten3 Transit Oriented Development is a myth Most of the buildina of condos in the KapiolaniTestimony -corridor were planned without any consideration of the rail route This is amply demonstratedby the fact that while HART struggles to come up with a funding plan and completion to AlaMoana is questionable developers are proceeding to build The numbers and actual cost ofaffordable housing in these condos are still too expensive for most people to afford Only onemajor project currently is in Ewa and that was planned years before the rail was developed
4 There are urgent issues that require immediate and priority funding homelessness and themental health system police fire and emergency services funding road and highwayimprovement and cleanup and improvement of tourist recreational areas such as parks andbeaches
5 Rather than triggering economic growth the public will be saddled with enormous debt bythe borrowed funding and operational expense estimated variously at present at $120- $150
million per year Electricity costs will cause operational expense to double This project couldbankrupt the city
6 HART should develop a funding or recovery plan before it comes to the council for aportion of TAT revenues
7 The final Environmental Impact Statement indicates only a minimal effect in alleviatingtraffic congestion which is the major argument in favor of funding the rail- The motoringpublic will not see any improvement in driving times and the studies were made years agoand are no longer reliable
The Council is urged to delete any provision that funds the rail in favor of funding otherurgent prioritiesThank you for your consideration
Te stin]on yAttachment
Accept TermsI
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 730 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Leslie M Inouye
Phone
Email Iinouyel4gmai1com
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHBuddeget
Committee
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position onOppose
the matter
Representing Self
Organization
Chairman Waters and City Council I and many others who have only recently becomeaware of Bill 40 must oppose the the use of the TAT to help fund rail It seems there are any
Writtennumber of backdoor plans to find the funds for rail despite the ongoing litany of items thateither have no clear fix andor no specific bottom line At some point you must realize thatTestimony
the rail is not a sustainable to use the popular contemporary term project and to continuepursuing this immense burden portends financial ruin for all of us Please let common senserule your decisions
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IF 19216820067
1
1 PETER A GANABANbull Business Manager
ampcretarj- Treasure
ALFONSO OlIVERPesident
JOBY NORTh IIlice President
TONI FIG(ERO4Recording Secretary
JAMES DRLrsquoMGOLD JRExecutiye Bd
ORLANDO PAESTEExecutive Board
JOSFIrsquoK jAWEsecutiw Board
ESTIIERAILA4udaor
RUSSELl NAPIIIA-4Auditor
SI lsquoIRK TRAVALINO4uJior
MAITINARAN4YDOamprgearn-dt-Arms
LIUNA Local 3681617 Palarna StreetHonolulu HI 96817
Phone (808) 841-5877Fax (808)847-7829
wiwIocaI368org
LiUNA
TESTIMONY OF THE HAWAII LABORERSrsquo UNION LOCAL 358
Honolulu City CouncilCouncil Meeting
Wednesday October 6 20211000 AM
RE Bill 40(2021) mdash RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATION TAX(TAT)
Chair Waters Vice-chair Kiarsquoaina and Council Members
The Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 and its 5000 working and retired men andwomen across the state of Hawaii stand in strong support of Bill 40(2021) whichestablishes a transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) for the City and Countyof Honolulu
The TAT funding proposed in Bill 40 would allow the City and County of Honoluluto maintain and preserve our island while mitigating the impacts of our naturalresources while also building new and existing infrastructure - including theHonolulu Rail Project This proposed measure would help generate much neededrevenue while having our island visitors help in sharing the cost
Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 respectfully requests that the council takefavorable action on this measure and support Bill 40
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony
Shingayi MasiyaGovernment Relations Director
Feel the Power
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 754 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Paul Yonamine
PhoneEmail paulyonaminecpbbank
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncil
Committee
Agenda Item Testimony and Support for Bill 40Your position
Supporton the mailer
Representing Self
Organization
Testimony and Support for Bill 40
I am Paul Yonamine Executive Chairman of Central Pacific Bank andI am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transientaccommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of thisamount I would respectfully request that a portion be set aside for thecompletion of the Honolulu rail project This new revenue source atourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both ofwhom will use and ride a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steadypace Work on utility relocation also continues Work either out to bidor ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficult section of
Written Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and aTestimony dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of a
system that wilt transform Oahu - Westside families will have theoption to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending anhourdivide in traffic Transit-oriented developments (TOD) to includeaffordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances
Rail and TOD represents the single most important economic driverfor the City and County of Honolulu and the state of Hawaii It alsopresents an invaluable opportunity for more affordable housingdevelopment for generations to come Donrsquot stop and impedeprogress of rail because of past project mismanagement We shouldmake sure the project is fully funded and that capable projectmanagers are hired positioned and empowered to complete thisproject
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support andlook forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 824 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Michael KamakaPhone
Email mkamakabowersandkubotacomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40 - Transient Accommodations TaxYour position
Supporton the matterRepresenting SelfOrganization
October 6 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer and Council MembersHonolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Sill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodation TaxDear Chair Waters and MembersPlease accept this written testimony of my support of Bill 40 toestablish a transient accommodations tax for the City and County ofHonolulu Under Sill 40
Written I believe a transient accommodations tax collects the fair and equitableTestimony amount from visitors who enjoy our City and County of Honolulu today
and in the future The tax will provide funding to mitigate impacts ofvisitors by providing money to support the restoration and maintenanceof public facilitiesAs part of the mitigation to the impacts of visitors I respectfully requesta portion of this transient accommodations tax be set aside to supportthe completion of the Honolulu rail project A rail system will helpmitigate the impacts by visitors in the Honolulu area by providing acleaner alternative of transportation thereby minimizing pollutantscaused by vehicle traffic and congestionAlthough there has been fiscal schedule and constructabilitychallenges there is a renewed hope and optimism for the completionof the rail system A renewable source of funding is the opportunity toposition HART for a successful completion of the rail system With new
1
leadership at HART I am confident HART has the people industrytrust transparency technical expertise and viable action plan neededto move this project ahead Funding through a portion of the transientaccommodation tax will provide a sustainable and dedicated fundingsource to allow construction to continueThank you for allowing me this opportunity to submit my support for Bill40Respectfully
Michael Kamaka PE Principal
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 423 PMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Kim Jorgensen
Phone
Email hawaiicondoyahoocomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPH Committee Council
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position on thematter
Support
Representing SelfOrganization
Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony on Bill 40 IWritten Testimonyfully SUPPORT it
Testimony Attachment
Accept Terms and1Agreement
IP 19216820067
1
HAwAII STATE AFL-CIO888 Mililani Street Suite 501 bull Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Randy Perreira Telephone (808)597-1441President Fax (808) 593-2149
City CouncilCity and County of Honolulu
Testimony byHawairsquoi State AFL-CIO
October 6 2021
Testimony in SUPPORT of Bill 40 Relating tothe Transient Accommodations Tax
The Hawairsquoi State AFL-CIO is a state federation of 74 affiliate local unions and councils with over68000 members across both public and private sectors We appreciate the opportunity to testify insupport of Bill 40
Of all counties in the state swift measures must be taken to mitigate the negative impact overtourismhas on Honolulursquos infrastructure Traffic congestion in Honolulu is exacerbated by the visitorindustry Establishing a three percent transient accommodations tax is key to generating the revenueneeded to invest in Orsquoahursquos public transportation system The Honolulu Rail Transit Project is apublic good that will benefit 0rsquo ahu workers residents and visitors alike by providing a publictransportation option that complements The Bus and further relieves traffic congestion where it ismost needed
We appreciate your consideration of our testimony in support of Bill 40 and strongly urge you to passthis bill
ectfullysnitted
Randy PerreiraPresident
Dion DizonQfbwtcio org
HAWAII APPLESEEDCENTER FOR LAW amp ECONOMIC JUSTTCE
Testimony of the Hawairsquoi Appleseed Center for Law and Economic JusticeSUPPORT mdash Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
City and County of HonoluluWednesday October 6 2021 10AM
Aloha Chair Waters and Councilmembers
We at Hawaii Appleseed strongly support Bill 40 and efforts to use TAT funds to complete therail project as it will dramatically increase the housing stock in TOD areas and create efficientand equitable access to transit To support the affordable housing that Oahu desperately needswe must finish the rail and provide the subsidies needed to ensure that housing is prioritized forlocal residents and stays affordable over the long-term
In addition we urge the council to provide that a fixed percentage of the TAT be allocatedto rail funding so the project can be completed in a fiscally responsible way with a securefunding stream Ideally all of the necessary funds for completion and ongoing maintenance cancome from this dedicated funding which is paid for by visitors to Oahu
Finishing the rail will enable thousands of homes to be built along the rail corridor Withappropriate affordability restrictions and public support these homes can address the severeshortage of affordable housing here on Oahu A recent 2020 study prepared by PBR Hawaii forthe Hawaii Office of Planning estimates the addition of 50900 residential units around the EastKapolei Stadium and lwilei TOD areas alone1rsquo Although these homes will be built in phasesover the next 40 years it is clear that development around rail can substantially contribute to oursupply of affordable housing According to the 2019 Hawaii Housing Planning Study Oahu willneed an additional 22168 residential units by 2025 with half of the need for households withcombined incomes of $75000 or less
Rail is needed to alleviate traffic and provide walkable neighborhoodsAs Oahu plans for the future we should be focused on housing constructed in walkable urbanneighborhoods with easy access to amenities parks and transit To support the smartaffordable and sustainable growth that is needed we should be building around rail-but first wemust complete the rail Access to rail offers an alternative to driving is likely to reduce traffic for
1 July 2020 State Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning and Implementation Project for theisland of Dahu by PBR Hawaii for the Hawaii State Office of Planning Attachment C
communities along the Leeward Coast and wHI create a more equitable way to access theurban core of Honolulu
We strongly urge the council to pass Bill 40 and to continue to work towards creating acomprehensive affordable housing strategy for the residents of Oahu Completing the rail is vitalto enable housing construction but it will take further efforts to ensure that a majority of housingis reserved for local residents and stays affordable over time
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify
Kenna Stormogipsonkennahibudgetorg
October 5 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer And Council Members
Honolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accomodation Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members
I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transient accommodations tax forthe City and County of Honolulu In addition I respectfully request a portion of this generatedtax to be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project We all realize the pastchallenges of the rail project but now have a great opportunity to position HART for a successfulcompletion of the Rail system
With the new leadership at HART I am more confident than ever that we have the managementindustry tmst transparency technical expertise and action plan required to move this projectahead This dedicated funding source which will be shouldered by our tourist will allowconstruction to continue toward a successful completion for ALL of us This will also spurTransit Oriented Deveiopment around the system to help create housing and businessopportunities in our communities
Thank you for this opportunity to submit my support for Bill 40 and to generate an additionalrevenue source for HART
Respectfully
Dexter Kubota PEVice President
dkubota bowersandkubotacom
a a aareg
aqJrsquoJ1001 Bishop Street I Suite 625 I Honolulu HI 96213-28301-866-295-7282 I Fax 808-536-2882
bull aarporghi I aarphiaarporg I twittercomAARPHawaiI
H auva i I
Honolulu City CouncilOctober 6 2021 1000 am
TO The Honorable Tommy Waters ChairpersonRE Bill 40mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the Committee
My name is Kealirsquoi Lopez and I am the State Director for AARP Hawairsquoi AARP is a membershiporganization of people age fifty and over with nearly 145000 members in HawaiiAARP Hawaii supports Bill 40 which seeks to establish transient accommodations tax (TAT) forthe City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and facilitate thereceipt and deposit of the revenue derived
We respectfully wish to add our comment and support for a dedicated percentage of the TATthat will support the mass transit project Having an ongoing dedicated source of funding willhelp pay for mass transit project the ongoing operations and maintenance of the system afterconstruction has been completed and without the need to raise property taxes
AARP has been a strong proponent of an age-friendly community that includesbull Multi-modal forms of transportation for people of all ages Rail affords another
transportation option for Honolulu especially for seniors and those who cannot affordthe high costs of owning a vehicle
bull Transit Orient Developments (TaD) with affordable housings built within walking andbiking distance of major rail stations
Bill 40 provides an opportunity for the City to modernize and complete our transportationinfrastructure Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will help restore confidencewith the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) and could potentially unlock additionalfederal funding opportunities and other public sources to finish the project Thank you for theopportunity to testify in support of Bill 40
Sincerely
lsquos--rsquo hr
Kealirsquoi Lopez State Director
klopezaarporg
BIABUILDING INDUSTRY
A S SOC AT ION ana
TESTIMONY TO THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCILHONOLULU HALE
COUNCIL CHAMBERSOctober 6 2021
900 AM
Honorable Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Council
RE Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
My name is Daryl Takamiya Chair of the Government Relations Committee of the BuildingIndustry Association of Hawaii (BIA-HawaN) Chartered in 1955 the Building IndustryAssociation of Hawaii is a professional trade organization affiliated with the National Associationof Home Builders representing the building industry and its associates BIA-HawaH takes aleadership role in unifying and promoting the interests of the industry to enhance the quality oflife for the people of Hawah Our members build the communities we all call home
BIA-Hawaii is in support of Bill 40 which would establish a transient accommodations tax for theCity and County of Honolulu specifically the portion of the bill that would provide for a depositinto the established transit fund
BIA-Hawaii continues to support the transit system on the island of Oahu because it willincrease the availability of housing as transit-oriented development communities are built Thelack of affordable housing and other quality of life issues continue to plague our communitiesImproving transportation will only help to alleviate these issues and without a completed railproject affordable housing goals will not be met Bill 40 will be an important component toensure that the transit system is brought to successful completion
We appreciate the opportunity to express our views on Sill 40
Stefanie Y Sakamotostefsakamotoconsultingcom
tamp 006-629-7501 94-487 Akoki St Ste 213 wwwbiahawakorg
fax 808-629-7701 Waipahu HI 9679 infobiahawaiiorg
From CLK Council Into
Sent Tuesday October 5 2021 657 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Stanford Masui
Phone
Email standamanniasuigmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-202 1
CouncilPHBudgetCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40
YOLIE positionOppose
on the matter
Representing Organization
Organization RAILSOS (Study Other Solutions)
Chairman Waters and members of the councilOur organization opposes this bill as written1 It assumes that a portion of the TAT will be set aside for a transit fund for the rail Thisassumption should not he made without a vigorous discussion as whether funds should hesiphoned off for a project that is no longer financially viable To put it bluntly why ldquothrowgood money after badrdquo
2 The rail is at an inflection point as to whether it should he constructed beyond its currentendpoint at Middle St or further intensive study as to viable alternatives rather thancontinuing on to Ala Moana at a prohibitive cost Past VIA administrators have urged the cityto consider modification of its plans a clear signal that additional funding may not beforthcoming
Wutten3 Transit Oriented Development is a myth Most of the buildina of condos in the KapiolaniTestimony -corridor were planned without any consideration of the rail route This is amply demonstratedby the fact that while HART struggles to come up with a funding plan and completion to AlaMoana is questionable developers are proceeding to build The numbers and actual cost ofaffordable housing in these condos are still too expensive for most people to afford Only onemajor project currently is in Ewa and that was planned years before the rail was developed
4 There are urgent issues that require immediate and priority funding homelessness and themental health system police fire and emergency services funding road and highwayimprovement and cleanup and improvement of tourist recreational areas such as parks andbeaches
5 Rather than triggering economic growth the public will be saddled with enormous debt bythe borrowed funding and operational expense estimated variously at present at $120- $150
million per year Electricity costs will cause operational expense to double This project couldbankrupt the city
6 HART should develop a funding or recovery plan before it comes to the council for aportion of TAT revenues
7 The final Environmental Impact Statement indicates only a minimal effect in alleviatingtraffic congestion which is the major argument in favor of funding the rail- The motoringpublic will not see any improvement in driving times and the studies were made years agoand are no longer reliable
The Council is urged to delete any provision that funds the rail in favor of funding otherurgent prioritiesThank you for your consideration
Te stin]on yAttachment
Accept TermsI
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 730 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Leslie M Inouye
Phone
Email Iinouyel4gmai1com
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHBuddeget
Committee
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position onOppose
the matter
Representing Self
Organization
Chairman Waters and City Council I and many others who have only recently becomeaware of Bill 40 must oppose the the use of the TAT to help fund rail It seems there are any
Writtennumber of backdoor plans to find the funds for rail despite the ongoing litany of items thateither have no clear fix andor no specific bottom line At some point you must realize thatTestimony
the rail is not a sustainable to use the popular contemporary term project and to continuepursuing this immense burden portends financial ruin for all of us Please let common senserule your decisions
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IF 19216820067
1
1 PETER A GANABANbull Business Manager
ampcretarj- Treasure
ALFONSO OlIVERPesident
JOBY NORTh IIlice President
TONI FIG(ERO4Recording Secretary
JAMES DRLrsquoMGOLD JRExecutiye Bd
ORLANDO PAESTEExecutive Board
JOSFIrsquoK jAWEsecutiw Board
ESTIIERAILA4udaor
RUSSELl NAPIIIA-4Auditor
SI lsquoIRK TRAVALINO4uJior
MAITINARAN4YDOamprgearn-dt-Arms
LIUNA Local 3681617 Palarna StreetHonolulu HI 96817
Phone (808) 841-5877Fax (808)847-7829
wiwIocaI368org
LiUNA
TESTIMONY OF THE HAWAII LABORERSrsquo UNION LOCAL 358
Honolulu City CouncilCouncil Meeting
Wednesday October 6 20211000 AM
RE Bill 40(2021) mdash RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATION TAX(TAT)
Chair Waters Vice-chair Kiarsquoaina and Council Members
The Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 and its 5000 working and retired men andwomen across the state of Hawaii stand in strong support of Bill 40(2021) whichestablishes a transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) for the City and Countyof Honolulu
The TAT funding proposed in Bill 40 would allow the City and County of Honoluluto maintain and preserve our island while mitigating the impacts of our naturalresources while also building new and existing infrastructure - including theHonolulu Rail Project This proposed measure would help generate much neededrevenue while having our island visitors help in sharing the cost
Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 respectfully requests that the council takefavorable action on this measure and support Bill 40
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony
Shingayi MasiyaGovernment Relations Director
Feel the Power
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 754 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Paul Yonamine
PhoneEmail paulyonaminecpbbank
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncil
Committee
Agenda Item Testimony and Support for Bill 40Your position
Supporton the mailer
Representing Self
Organization
Testimony and Support for Bill 40
I am Paul Yonamine Executive Chairman of Central Pacific Bank andI am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transientaccommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of thisamount I would respectfully request that a portion be set aside for thecompletion of the Honolulu rail project This new revenue source atourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both ofwhom will use and ride a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steadypace Work on utility relocation also continues Work either out to bidor ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficult section of
Written Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and aTestimony dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of a
system that wilt transform Oahu - Westside families will have theoption to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending anhourdivide in traffic Transit-oriented developments (TOD) to includeaffordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances
Rail and TOD represents the single most important economic driverfor the City and County of Honolulu and the state of Hawaii It alsopresents an invaluable opportunity for more affordable housingdevelopment for generations to come Donrsquot stop and impedeprogress of rail because of past project mismanagement We shouldmake sure the project is fully funded and that capable projectmanagers are hired positioned and empowered to complete thisproject
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support andlook forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 824 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Michael KamakaPhone
Email mkamakabowersandkubotacomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40 - Transient Accommodations TaxYour position
Supporton the matterRepresenting SelfOrganization
October 6 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer and Council MembersHonolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Sill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodation TaxDear Chair Waters and MembersPlease accept this written testimony of my support of Bill 40 toestablish a transient accommodations tax for the City and County ofHonolulu Under Sill 40
Written I believe a transient accommodations tax collects the fair and equitableTestimony amount from visitors who enjoy our City and County of Honolulu today
and in the future The tax will provide funding to mitigate impacts ofvisitors by providing money to support the restoration and maintenanceof public facilitiesAs part of the mitigation to the impacts of visitors I respectfully requesta portion of this transient accommodations tax be set aside to supportthe completion of the Honolulu rail project A rail system will helpmitigate the impacts by visitors in the Honolulu area by providing acleaner alternative of transportation thereby minimizing pollutantscaused by vehicle traffic and congestionAlthough there has been fiscal schedule and constructabilitychallenges there is a renewed hope and optimism for the completionof the rail system A renewable source of funding is the opportunity toposition HART for a successful completion of the rail system With new
1
leadership at HART I am confident HART has the people industrytrust transparency technical expertise and viable action plan neededto move this project ahead Funding through a portion of the transientaccommodation tax will provide a sustainable and dedicated fundingsource to allow construction to continueThank you for allowing me this opportunity to submit my support for Bill40Respectfully
Michael Kamaka PE Principal
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
HAwAII STATE AFL-CIO888 Mililani Street Suite 501 bull Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Randy Perreira Telephone (808)597-1441President Fax (808) 593-2149
City CouncilCity and County of Honolulu
Testimony byHawairsquoi State AFL-CIO
October 6 2021
Testimony in SUPPORT of Bill 40 Relating tothe Transient Accommodations Tax
The Hawairsquoi State AFL-CIO is a state federation of 74 affiliate local unions and councils with over68000 members across both public and private sectors We appreciate the opportunity to testify insupport of Bill 40
Of all counties in the state swift measures must be taken to mitigate the negative impact overtourismhas on Honolulursquos infrastructure Traffic congestion in Honolulu is exacerbated by the visitorindustry Establishing a three percent transient accommodations tax is key to generating the revenueneeded to invest in Orsquoahursquos public transportation system The Honolulu Rail Transit Project is apublic good that will benefit 0rsquo ahu workers residents and visitors alike by providing a publictransportation option that complements The Bus and further relieves traffic congestion where it ismost needed
We appreciate your consideration of our testimony in support of Bill 40 and strongly urge you to passthis bill
ectfullysnitted
Randy PerreiraPresident
Dion DizonQfbwtcio org
HAWAII APPLESEEDCENTER FOR LAW amp ECONOMIC JUSTTCE
Testimony of the Hawairsquoi Appleseed Center for Law and Economic JusticeSUPPORT mdash Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
City and County of HonoluluWednesday October 6 2021 10AM
Aloha Chair Waters and Councilmembers
We at Hawaii Appleseed strongly support Bill 40 and efforts to use TAT funds to complete therail project as it will dramatically increase the housing stock in TOD areas and create efficientand equitable access to transit To support the affordable housing that Oahu desperately needswe must finish the rail and provide the subsidies needed to ensure that housing is prioritized forlocal residents and stays affordable over the long-term
In addition we urge the council to provide that a fixed percentage of the TAT be allocatedto rail funding so the project can be completed in a fiscally responsible way with a securefunding stream Ideally all of the necessary funds for completion and ongoing maintenance cancome from this dedicated funding which is paid for by visitors to Oahu
Finishing the rail will enable thousands of homes to be built along the rail corridor Withappropriate affordability restrictions and public support these homes can address the severeshortage of affordable housing here on Oahu A recent 2020 study prepared by PBR Hawaii forthe Hawaii Office of Planning estimates the addition of 50900 residential units around the EastKapolei Stadium and lwilei TOD areas alone1rsquo Although these homes will be built in phasesover the next 40 years it is clear that development around rail can substantially contribute to oursupply of affordable housing According to the 2019 Hawaii Housing Planning Study Oahu willneed an additional 22168 residential units by 2025 with half of the need for households withcombined incomes of $75000 or less
Rail is needed to alleviate traffic and provide walkable neighborhoodsAs Oahu plans for the future we should be focused on housing constructed in walkable urbanneighborhoods with easy access to amenities parks and transit To support the smartaffordable and sustainable growth that is needed we should be building around rail-but first wemust complete the rail Access to rail offers an alternative to driving is likely to reduce traffic for
1 July 2020 State Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning and Implementation Project for theisland of Dahu by PBR Hawaii for the Hawaii State Office of Planning Attachment C
communities along the Leeward Coast and wHI create a more equitable way to access theurban core of Honolulu
We strongly urge the council to pass Bill 40 and to continue to work towards creating acomprehensive affordable housing strategy for the residents of Oahu Completing the rail is vitalto enable housing construction but it will take further efforts to ensure that a majority of housingis reserved for local residents and stays affordable over time
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify
Kenna Stormogipsonkennahibudgetorg
October 5 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer And Council Members
Honolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accomodation Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members
I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transient accommodations tax forthe City and County of Honolulu In addition I respectfully request a portion of this generatedtax to be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project We all realize the pastchallenges of the rail project but now have a great opportunity to position HART for a successfulcompletion of the Rail system
With the new leadership at HART I am more confident than ever that we have the managementindustry tmst transparency technical expertise and action plan required to move this projectahead This dedicated funding source which will be shouldered by our tourist will allowconstruction to continue toward a successful completion for ALL of us This will also spurTransit Oriented Deveiopment around the system to help create housing and businessopportunities in our communities
Thank you for this opportunity to submit my support for Bill 40 and to generate an additionalrevenue source for HART
Respectfully
Dexter Kubota PEVice President
dkubota bowersandkubotacom
a a aareg
aqJrsquoJ1001 Bishop Street I Suite 625 I Honolulu HI 96213-28301-866-295-7282 I Fax 808-536-2882
bull aarporghi I aarphiaarporg I twittercomAARPHawaiI
H auva i I
Honolulu City CouncilOctober 6 2021 1000 am
TO The Honorable Tommy Waters ChairpersonRE Bill 40mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the Committee
My name is Kealirsquoi Lopez and I am the State Director for AARP Hawairsquoi AARP is a membershiporganization of people age fifty and over with nearly 145000 members in HawaiiAARP Hawaii supports Bill 40 which seeks to establish transient accommodations tax (TAT) forthe City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and facilitate thereceipt and deposit of the revenue derived
We respectfully wish to add our comment and support for a dedicated percentage of the TATthat will support the mass transit project Having an ongoing dedicated source of funding willhelp pay for mass transit project the ongoing operations and maintenance of the system afterconstruction has been completed and without the need to raise property taxes
AARP has been a strong proponent of an age-friendly community that includesbull Multi-modal forms of transportation for people of all ages Rail affords another
transportation option for Honolulu especially for seniors and those who cannot affordthe high costs of owning a vehicle
bull Transit Orient Developments (TaD) with affordable housings built within walking andbiking distance of major rail stations
Bill 40 provides an opportunity for the City to modernize and complete our transportationinfrastructure Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will help restore confidencewith the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) and could potentially unlock additionalfederal funding opportunities and other public sources to finish the project Thank you for theopportunity to testify in support of Bill 40
Sincerely
lsquos--rsquo hr
Kealirsquoi Lopez State Director
klopezaarporg
BIABUILDING INDUSTRY
A S SOC AT ION ana
TESTIMONY TO THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCILHONOLULU HALE
COUNCIL CHAMBERSOctober 6 2021
900 AM
Honorable Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Council
RE Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
My name is Daryl Takamiya Chair of the Government Relations Committee of the BuildingIndustry Association of Hawaii (BIA-HawaN) Chartered in 1955 the Building IndustryAssociation of Hawaii is a professional trade organization affiliated with the National Associationof Home Builders representing the building industry and its associates BIA-HawaH takes aleadership role in unifying and promoting the interests of the industry to enhance the quality oflife for the people of Hawah Our members build the communities we all call home
BIA-Hawaii is in support of Bill 40 which would establish a transient accommodations tax for theCity and County of Honolulu specifically the portion of the bill that would provide for a depositinto the established transit fund
BIA-Hawaii continues to support the transit system on the island of Oahu because it willincrease the availability of housing as transit-oriented development communities are built Thelack of affordable housing and other quality of life issues continue to plague our communitiesImproving transportation will only help to alleviate these issues and without a completed railproject affordable housing goals will not be met Bill 40 will be an important component toensure that the transit system is brought to successful completion
We appreciate the opportunity to express our views on Sill 40
Stefanie Y Sakamotostefsakamotoconsultingcom
tamp 006-629-7501 94-487 Akoki St Ste 213 wwwbiahawakorg
fax 808-629-7701 Waipahu HI 9679 infobiahawaiiorg
From CLK Council Into
Sent Tuesday October 5 2021 657 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Stanford Masui
Phone
Email standamanniasuigmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-202 1
CouncilPHBudgetCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40
YOLIE positionOppose
on the matter
Representing Organization
Organization RAILSOS (Study Other Solutions)
Chairman Waters and members of the councilOur organization opposes this bill as written1 It assumes that a portion of the TAT will be set aside for a transit fund for the rail Thisassumption should not he made without a vigorous discussion as whether funds should hesiphoned off for a project that is no longer financially viable To put it bluntly why ldquothrowgood money after badrdquo
2 The rail is at an inflection point as to whether it should he constructed beyond its currentendpoint at Middle St or further intensive study as to viable alternatives rather thancontinuing on to Ala Moana at a prohibitive cost Past VIA administrators have urged the cityto consider modification of its plans a clear signal that additional funding may not beforthcoming
Wutten3 Transit Oriented Development is a myth Most of the buildina of condos in the KapiolaniTestimony -corridor were planned without any consideration of the rail route This is amply demonstratedby the fact that while HART struggles to come up with a funding plan and completion to AlaMoana is questionable developers are proceeding to build The numbers and actual cost ofaffordable housing in these condos are still too expensive for most people to afford Only onemajor project currently is in Ewa and that was planned years before the rail was developed
4 There are urgent issues that require immediate and priority funding homelessness and themental health system police fire and emergency services funding road and highwayimprovement and cleanup and improvement of tourist recreational areas such as parks andbeaches
5 Rather than triggering economic growth the public will be saddled with enormous debt bythe borrowed funding and operational expense estimated variously at present at $120- $150
million per year Electricity costs will cause operational expense to double This project couldbankrupt the city
6 HART should develop a funding or recovery plan before it comes to the council for aportion of TAT revenues
7 The final Environmental Impact Statement indicates only a minimal effect in alleviatingtraffic congestion which is the major argument in favor of funding the rail- The motoringpublic will not see any improvement in driving times and the studies were made years agoand are no longer reliable
The Council is urged to delete any provision that funds the rail in favor of funding otherurgent prioritiesThank you for your consideration
Te stin]on yAttachment
Accept TermsI
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 730 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Leslie M Inouye
Phone
Email Iinouyel4gmai1com
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHBuddeget
Committee
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position onOppose
the matter
Representing Self
Organization
Chairman Waters and City Council I and many others who have only recently becomeaware of Bill 40 must oppose the the use of the TAT to help fund rail It seems there are any
Writtennumber of backdoor plans to find the funds for rail despite the ongoing litany of items thateither have no clear fix andor no specific bottom line At some point you must realize thatTestimony
the rail is not a sustainable to use the popular contemporary term project and to continuepursuing this immense burden portends financial ruin for all of us Please let common senserule your decisions
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IF 19216820067
1
1 PETER A GANABANbull Business Manager
ampcretarj- Treasure
ALFONSO OlIVERPesident
JOBY NORTh IIlice President
TONI FIG(ERO4Recording Secretary
JAMES DRLrsquoMGOLD JRExecutiye Bd
ORLANDO PAESTEExecutive Board
JOSFIrsquoK jAWEsecutiw Board
ESTIIERAILA4udaor
RUSSELl NAPIIIA-4Auditor
SI lsquoIRK TRAVALINO4uJior
MAITINARAN4YDOamprgearn-dt-Arms
LIUNA Local 3681617 Palarna StreetHonolulu HI 96817
Phone (808) 841-5877Fax (808)847-7829
wiwIocaI368org
LiUNA
TESTIMONY OF THE HAWAII LABORERSrsquo UNION LOCAL 358
Honolulu City CouncilCouncil Meeting
Wednesday October 6 20211000 AM
RE Bill 40(2021) mdash RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATION TAX(TAT)
Chair Waters Vice-chair Kiarsquoaina and Council Members
The Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 and its 5000 working and retired men andwomen across the state of Hawaii stand in strong support of Bill 40(2021) whichestablishes a transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) for the City and Countyof Honolulu
The TAT funding proposed in Bill 40 would allow the City and County of Honoluluto maintain and preserve our island while mitigating the impacts of our naturalresources while also building new and existing infrastructure - including theHonolulu Rail Project This proposed measure would help generate much neededrevenue while having our island visitors help in sharing the cost
Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 respectfully requests that the council takefavorable action on this measure and support Bill 40
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony
Shingayi MasiyaGovernment Relations Director
Feel the Power
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 754 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Paul Yonamine
PhoneEmail paulyonaminecpbbank
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncil
Committee
Agenda Item Testimony and Support for Bill 40Your position
Supporton the mailer
Representing Self
Organization
Testimony and Support for Bill 40
I am Paul Yonamine Executive Chairman of Central Pacific Bank andI am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transientaccommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of thisamount I would respectfully request that a portion be set aside for thecompletion of the Honolulu rail project This new revenue source atourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both ofwhom will use and ride a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steadypace Work on utility relocation also continues Work either out to bidor ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficult section of
Written Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and aTestimony dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of a
system that wilt transform Oahu - Westside families will have theoption to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending anhourdivide in traffic Transit-oriented developments (TOD) to includeaffordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances
Rail and TOD represents the single most important economic driverfor the City and County of Honolulu and the state of Hawaii It alsopresents an invaluable opportunity for more affordable housingdevelopment for generations to come Donrsquot stop and impedeprogress of rail because of past project mismanagement We shouldmake sure the project is fully funded and that capable projectmanagers are hired positioned and empowered to complete thisproject
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support andlook forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 824 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Michael KamakaPhone
Email mkamakabowersandkubotacomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40 - Transient Accommodations TaxYour position
Supporton the matterRepresenting SelfOrganization
October 6 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer and Council MembersHonolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Sill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodation TaxDear Chair Waters and MembersPlease accept this written testimony of my support of Bill 40 toestablish a transient accommodations tax for the City and County ofHonolulu Under Sill 40
Written I believe a transient accommodations tax collects the fair and equitableTestimony amount from visitors who enjoy our City and County of Honolulu today
and in the future The tax will provide funding to mitigate impacts ofvisitors by providing money to support the restoration and maintenanceof public facilitiesAs part of the mitigation to the impacts of visitors I respectfully requesta portion of this transient accommodations tax be set aside to supportthe completion of the Honolulu rail project A rail system will helpmitigate the impacts by visitors in the Honolulu area by providing acleaner alternative of transportation thereby minimizing pollutantscaused by vehicle traffic and congestionAlthough there has been fiscal schedule and constructabilitychallenges there is a renewed hope and optimism for the completionof the rail system A renewable source of funding is the opportunity toposition HART for a successful completion of the rail system With new
1
leadership at HART I am confident HART has the people industrytrust transparency technical expertise and viable action plan neededto move this project ahead Funding through a portion of the transientaccommodation tax will provide a sustainable and dedicated fundingsource to allow construction to continueThank you for allowing me this opportunity to submit my support for Bill40Respectfully
Michael Kamaka PE Principal
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
HAWAII APPLESEEDCENTER FOR LAW amp ECONOMIC JUSTTCE
Testimony of the Hawairsquoi Appleseed Center for Law and Economic JusticeSUPPORT mdash Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax
City and County of HonoluluWednesday October 6 2021 10AM
Aloha Chair Waters and Councilmembers
We at Hawaii Appleseed strongly support Bill 40 and efforts to use TAT funds to complete therail project as it will dramatically increase the housing stock in TOD areas and create efficientand equitable access to transit To support the affordable housing that Oahu desperately needswe must finish the rail and provide the subsidies needed to ensure that housing is prioritized forlocal residents and stays affordable over the long-term
In addition we urge the council to provide that a fixed percentage of the TAT be allocatedto rail funding so the project can be completed in a fiscally responsible way with a securefunding stream Ideally all of the necessary funds for completion and ongoing maintenance cancome from this dedicated funding which is paid for by visitors to Oahu
Finishing the rail will enable thousands of homes to be built along the rail corridor Withappropriate affordability restrictions and public support these homes can address the severeshortage of affordable housing here on Oahu A recent 2020 study prepared by PBR Hawaii forthe Hawaii Office of Planning estimates the addition of 50900 residential units around the EastKapolei Stadium and lwilei TOD areas alone1rsquo Although these homes will be built in phasesover the next 40 years it is clear that development around rail can substantially contribute to oursupply of affordable housing According to the 2019 Hawaii Housing Planning Study Oahu willneed an additional 22168 residential units by 2025 with half of the need for households withcombined incomes of $75000 or less
Rail is needed to alleviate traffic and provide walkable neighborhoodsAs Oahu plans for the future we should be focused on housing constructed in walkable urbanneighborhoods with easy access to amenities parks and transit To support the smartaffordable and sustainable growth that is needed we should be building around rail-but first wemust complete the rail Access to rail offers an alternative to driving is likely to reduce traffic for
1 July 2020 State Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning and Implementation Project for theisland of Dahu by PBR Hawaii for the Hawaii State Office of Planning Attachment C
communities along the Leeward Coast and wHI create a more equitable way to access theurban core of Honolulu
We strongly urge the council to pass Bill 40 and to continue to work towards creating acomprehensive affordable housing strategy for the residents of Oahu Completing the rail is vitalto enable housing construction but it will take further efforts to ensure that a majority of housingis reserved for local residents and stays affordable over time
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify
Kenna Stormogipsonkennahibudgetorg
October 5 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer And Council Members
Honolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accomodation Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members
I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transient accommodations tax forthe City and County of Honolulu In addition I respectfully request a portion of this generatedtax to be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project We all realize the pastchallenges of the rail project but now have a great opportunity to position HART for a successfulcompletion of the Rail system
With the new leadership at HART I am more confident than ever that we have the managementindustry tmst transparency technical expertise and action plan required to move this projectahead This dedicated funding source which will be shouldered by our tourist will allowconstruction to continue toward a successful completion for ALL of us This will also spurTransit Oriented Deveiopment around the system to help create housing and businessopportunities in our communities
Thank you for this opportunity to submit my support for Bill 40 and to generate an additionalrevenue source for HART
Respectfully
Dexter Kubota PEVice President
dkubota bowersandkubotacom
a a aareg
aqJrsquoJ1001 Bishop Street I Suite 625 I Honolulu HI 96213-28301-866-295-7282 I Fax 808-536-2882
bull aarporghi I aarphiaarporg I twittercomAARPHawaiI
H auva i I
Honolulu City CouncilOctober 6 2021 1000 am
TO The Honorable Tommy Waters ChairpersonRE Bill 40mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the Committee
My name is Kealirsquoi Lopez and I am the State Director for AARP Hawairsquoi AARP is a membershiporganization of people age fifty and over with nearly 145000 members in HawaiiAARP Hawaii supports Bill 40 which seeks to establish transient accommodations tax (TAT) forthe City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and facilitate thereceipt and deposit of the revenue derived
We respectfully wish to add our comment and support for a dedicated percentage of the TATthat will support the mass transit project Having an ongoing dedicated source of funding willhelp pay for mass transit project the ongoing operations and maintenance of the system afterconstruction has been completed and without the need to raise property taxes
AARP has been a strong proponent of an age-friendly community that includesbull Multi-modal forms of transportation for people of all ages Rail affords another
transportation option for Honolulu especially for seniors and those who cannot affordthe high costs of owning a vehicle
bull Transit Orient Developments (TaD) with affordable housings built within walking andbiking distance of major rail stations
Bill 40 provides an opportunity for the City to modernize and complete our transportationinfrastructure Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will help restore confidencewith the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) and could potentially unlock additionalfederal funding opportunities and other public sources to finish the project Thank you for theopportunity to testify in support of Bill 40
Sincerely
lsquos--rsquo hr
Kealirsquoi Lopez State Director
klopezaarporg
BIABUILDING INDUSTRY
A S SOC AT ION ana
TESTIMONY TO THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCILHONOLULU HALE
COUNCIL CHAMBERSOctober 6 2021
900 AM
Honorable Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Council
RE Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
My name is Daryl Takamiya Chair of the Government Relations Committee of the BuildingIndustry Association of Hawaii (BIA-HawaN) Chartered in 1955 the Building IndustryAssociation of Hawaii is a professional trade organization affiliated with the National Associationof Home Builders representing the building industry and its associates BIA-HawaH takes aleadership role in unifying and promoting the interests of the industry to enhance the quality oflife for the people of Hawah Our members build the communities we all call home
BIA-Hawaii is in support of Bill 40 which would establish a transient accommodations tax for theCity and County of Honolulu specifically the portion of the bill that would provide for a depositinto the established transit fund
BIA-Hawaii continues to support the transit system on the island of Oahu because it willincrease the availability of housing as transit-oriented development communities are built Thelack of affordable housing and other quality of life issues continue to plague our communitiesImproving transportation will only help to alleviate these issues and without a completed railproject affordable housing goals will not be met Bill 40 will be an important component toensure that the transit system is brought to successful completion
We appreciate the opportunity to express our views on Sill 40
Stefanie Y Sakamotostefsakamotoconsultingcom
tamp 006-629-7501 94-487 Akoki St Ste 213 wwwbiahawakorg
fax 808-629-7701 Waipahu HI 9679 infobiahawaiiorg
From CLK Council Into
Sent Tuesday October 5 2021 657 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Stanford Masui
Phone
Email standamanniasuigmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-202 1
CouncilPHBudgetCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40
YOLIE positionOppose
on the matter
Representing Organization
Organization RAILSOS (Study Other Solutions)
Chairman Waters and members of the councilOur organization opposes this bill as written1 It assumes that a portion of the TAT will be set aside for a transit fund for the rail Thisassumption should not he made without a vigorous discussion as whether funds should hesiphoned off for a project that is no longer financially viable To put it bluntly why ldquothrowgood money after badrdquo
2 The rail is at an inflection point as to whether it should he constructed beyond its currentendpoint at Middle St or further intensive study as to viable alternatives rather thancontinuing on to Ala Moana at a prohibitive cost Past VIA administrators have urged the cityto consider modification of its plans a clear signal that additional funding may not beforthcoming
Wutten3 Transit Oriented Development is a myth Most of the buildina of condos in the KapiolaniTestimony -corridor were planned without any consideration of the rail route This is amply demonstratedby the fact that while HART struggles to come up with a funding plan and completion to AlaMoana is questionable developers are proceeding to build The numbers and actual cost ofaffordable housing in these condos are still too expensive for most people to afford Only onemajor project currently is in Ewa and that was planned years before the rail was developed
4 There are urgent issues that require immediate and priority funding homelessness and themental health system police fire and emergency services funding road and highwayimprovement and cleanup and improvement of tourist recreational areas such as parks andbeaches
5 Rather than triggering economic growth the public will be saddled with enormous debt bythe borrowed funding and operational expense estimated variously at present at $120- $150
million per year Electricity costs will cause operational expense to double This project couldbankrupt the city
6 HART should develop a funding or recovery plan before it comes to the council for aportion of TAT revenues
7 The final Environmental Impact Statement indicates only a minimal effect in alleviatingtraffic congestion which is the major argument in favor of funding the rail- The motoringpublic will not see any improvement in driving times and the studies were made years agoand are no longer reliable
The Council is urged to delete any provision that funds the rail in favor of funding otherurgent prioritiesThank you for your consideration
Te stin]on yAttachment
Accept TermsI
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 730 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Leslie M Inouye
Phone
Email Iinouyel4gmai1com
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHBuddeget
Committee
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position onOppose
the matter
Representing Self
Organization
Chairman Waters and City Council I and many others who have only recently becomeaware of Bill 40 must oppose the the use of the TAT to help fund rail It seems there are any
Writtennumber of backdoor plans to find the funds for rail despite the ongoing litany of items thateither have no clear fix andor no specific bottom line At some point you must realize thatTestimony
the rail is not a sustainable to use the popular contemporary term project and to continuepursuing this immense burden portends financial ruin for all of us Please let common senserule your decisions
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IF 19216820067
1
1 PETER A GANABANbull Business Manager
ampcretarj- Treasure
ALFONSO OlIVERPesident
JOBY NORTh IIlice President
TONI FIG(ERO4Recording Secretary
JAMES DRLrsquoMGOLD JRExecutiye Bd
ORLANDO PAESTEExecutive Board
JOSFIrsquoK jAWEsecutiw Board
ESTIIERAILA4udaor
RUSSELl NAPIIIA-4Auditor
SI lsquoIRK TRAVALINO4uJior
MAITINARAN4YDOamprgearn-dt-Arms
LIUNA Local 3681617 Palarna StreetHonolulu HI 96817
Phone (808) 841-5877Fax (808)847-7829
wiwIocaI368org
LiUNA
TESTIMONY OF THE HAWAII LABORERSrsquo UNION LOCAL 358
Honolulu City CouncilCouncil Meeting
Wednesday October 6 20211000 AM
RE Bill 40(2021) mdash RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATION TAX(TAT)
Chair Waters Vice-chair Kiarsquoaina and Council Members
The Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 and its 5000 working and retired men andwomen across the state of Hawaii stand in strong support of Bill 40(2021) whichestablishes a transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) for the City and Countyof Honolulu
The TAT funding proposed in Bill 40 would allow the City and County of Honoluluto maintain and preserve our island while mitigating the impacts of our naturalresources while also building new and existing infrastructure - including theHonolulu Rail Project This proposed measure would help generate much neededrevenue while having our island visitors help in sharing the cost
Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 respectfully requests that the council takefavorable action on this measure and support Bill 40
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony
Shingayi MasiyaGovernment Relations Director
Feel the Power
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 754 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Paul Yonamine
PhoneEmail paulyonaminecpbbank
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncil
Committee
Agenda Item Testimony and Support for Bill 40Your position
Supporton the mailer
Representing Self
Organization
Testimony and Support for Bill 40
I am Paul Yonamine Executive Chairman of Central Pacific Bank andI am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transientaccommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of thisamount I would respectfully request that a portion be set aside for thecompletion of the Honolulu rail project This new revenue source atourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both ofwhom will use and ride a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steadypace Work on utility relocation also continues Work either out to bidor ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficult section of
Written Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and aTestimony dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of a
system that wilt transform Oahu - Westside families will have theoption to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending anhourdivide in traffic Transit-oriented developments (TOD) to includeaffordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances
Rail and TOD represents the single most important economic driverfor the City and County of Honolulu and the state of Hawaii It alsopresents an invaluable opportunity for more affordable housingdevelopment for generations to come Donrsquot stop and impedeprogress of rail because of past project mismanagement We shouldmake sure the project is fully funded and that capable projectmanagers are hired positioned and empowered to complete thisproject
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support andlook forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 824 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Michael KamakaPhone
Email mkamakabowersandkubotacomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40 - Transient Accommodations TaxYour position
Supporton the matterRepresenting SelfOrganization
October 6 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer and Council MembersHonolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Sill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodation TaxDear Chair Waters and MembersPlease accept this written testimony of my support of Bill 40 toestablish a transient accommodations tax for the City and County ofHonolulu Under Sill 40
Written I believe a transient accommodations tax collects the fair and equitableTestimony amount from visitors who enjoy our City and County of Honolulu today
and in the future The tax will provide funding to mitigate impacts ofvisitors by providing money to support the restoration and maintenanceof public facilitiesAs part of the mitigation to the impacts of visitors I respectfully requesta portion of this transient accommodations tax be set aside to supportthe completion of the Honolulu rail project A rail system will helpmitigate the impacts by visitors in the Honolulu area by providing acleaner alternative of transportation thereby minimizing pollutantscaused by vehicle traffic and congestionAlthough there has been fiscal schedule and constructabilitychallenges there is a renewed hope and optimism for the completionof the rail system A renewable source of funding is the opportunity toposition HART for a successful completion of the rail system With new
1
leadership at HART I am confident HART has the people industrytrust transparency technical expertise and viable action plan neededto move this project ahead Funding through a portion of the transientaccommodation tax will provide a sustainable and dedicated fundingsource to allow construction to continueThank you for allowing me this opportunity to submit my support for Bill40Respectfully
Michael Kamaka PE Principal
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
communities along the Leeward Coast and wHI create a more equitable way to access theurban core of Honolulu
We strongly urge the council to pass Bill 40 and to continue to work towards creating acomprehensive affordable housing strategy for the residents of Oahu Completing the rail is vitalto enable housing construction but it will take further efforts to ensure that a majority of housingis reserved for local residents and stays affordable over time
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify
Kenna Stormogipsonkennahibudgetorg
October 5 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer And Council Members
Honolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accomodation Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members
I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transient accommodations tax forthe City and County of Honolulu In addition I respectfully request a portion of this generatedtax to be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project We all realize the pastchallenges of the rail project but now have a great opportunity to position HART for a successfulcompletion of the Rail system
With the new leadership at HART I am more confident than ever that we have the managementindustry tmst transparency technical expertise and action plan required to move this projectahead This dedicated funding source which will be shouldered by our tourist will allowconstruction to continue toward a successful completion for ALL of us This will also spurTransit Oriented Deveiopment around the system to help create housing and businessopportunities in our communities
Thank you for this opportunity to submit my support for Bill 40 and to generate an additionalrevenue source for HART
Respectfully
Dexter Kubota PEVice President
dkubota bowersandkubotacom
a a aareg
aqJrsquoJ1001 Bishop Street I Suite 625 I Honolulu HI 96213-28301-866-295-7282 I Fax 808-536-2882
bull aarporghi I aarphiaarporg I twittercomAARPHawaiI
H auva i I
Honolulu City CouncilOctober 6 2021 1000 am
TO The Honorable Tommy Waters ChairpersonRE Bill 40mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the Committee
My name is Kealirsquoi Lopez and I am the State Director for AARP Hawairsquoi AARP is a membershiporganization of people age fifty and over with nearly 145000 members in HawaiiAARP Hawaii supports Bill 40 which seeks to establish transient accommodations tax (TAT) forthe City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and facilitate thereceipt and deposit of the revenue derived
We respectfully wish to add our comment and support for a dedicated percentage of the TATthat will support the mass transit project Having an ongoing dedicated source of funding willhelp pay for mass transit project the ongoing operations and maintenance of the system afterconstruction has been completed and without the need to raise property taxes
AARP has been a strong proponent of an age-friendly community that includesbull Multi-modal forms of transportation for people of all ages Rail affords another
transportation option for Honolulu especially for seniors and those who cannot affordthe high costs of owning a vehicle
bull Transit Orient Developments (TaD) with affordable housings built within walking andbiking distance of major rail stations
Bill 40 provides an opportunity for the City to modernize and complete our transportationinfrastructure Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will help restore confidencewith the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) and could potentially unlock additionalfederal funding opportunities and other public sources to finish the project Thank you for theopportunity to testify in support of Bill 40
Sincerely
lsquos--rsquo hr
Kealirsquoi Lopez State Director
klopezaarporg
BIABUILDING INDUSTRY
A S SOC AT ION ana
TESTIMONY TO THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCILHONOLULU HALE
COUNCIL CHAMBERSOctober 6 2021
900 AM
Honorable Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Council
RE Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
My name is Daryl Takamiya Chair of the Government Relations Committee of the BuildingIndustry Association of Hawaii (BIA-HawaN) Chartered in 1955 the Building IndustryAssociation of Hawaii is a professional trade organization affiliated with the National Associationof Home Builders representing the building industry and its associates BIA-HawaH takes aleadership role in unifying and promoting the interests of the industry to enhance the quality oflife for the people of Hawah Our members build the communities we all call home
BIA-Hawaii is in support of Bill 40 which would establish a transient accommodations tax for theCity and County of Honolulu specifically the portion of the bill that would provide for a depositinto the established transit fund
BIA-Hawaii continues to support the transit system on the island of Oahu because it willincrease the availability of housing as transit-oriented development communities are built Thelack of affordable housing and other quality of life issues continue to plague our communitiesImproving transportation will only help to alleviate these issues and without a completed railproject affordable housing goals will not be met Bill 40 will be an important component toensure that the transit system is brought to successful completion
We appreciate the opportunity to express our views on Sill 40
Stefanie Y Sakamotostefsakamotoconsultingcom
tamp 006-629-7501 94-487 Akoki St Ste 213 wwwbiahawakorg
fax 808-629-7701 Waipahu HI 9679 infobiahawaiiorg
From CLK Council Into
Sent Tuesday October 5 2021 657 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Stanford Masui
Phone
Email standamanniasuigmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-202 1
CouncilPHBudgetCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40
YOLIE positionOppose
on the matter
Representing Organization
Organization RAILSOS (Study Other Solutions)
Chairman Waters and members of the councilOur organization opposes this bill as written1 It assumes that a portion of the TAT will be set aside for a transit fund for the rail Thisassumption should not he made without a vigorous discussion as whether funds should hesiphoned off for a project that is no longer financially viable To put it bluntly why ldquothrowgood money after badrdquo
2 The rail is at an inflection point as to whether it should he constructed beyond its currentendpoint at Middle St or further intensive study as to viable alternatives rather thancontinuing on to Ala Moana at a prohibitive cost Past VIA administrators have urged the cityto consider modification of its plans a clear signal that additional funding may not beforthcoming
Wutten3 Transit Oriented Development is a myth Most of the buildina of condos in the KapiolaniTestimony -corridor were planned without any consideration of the rail route This is amply demonstratedby the fact that while HART struggles to come up with a funding plan and completion to AlaMoana is questionable developers are proceeding to build The numbers and actual cost ofaffordable housing in these condos are still too expensive for most people to afford Only onemajor project currently is in Ewa and that was planned years before the rail was developed
4 There are urgent issues that require immediate and priority funding homelessness and themental health system police fire and emergency services funding road and highwayimprovement and cleanup and improvement of tourist recreational areas such as parks andbeaches
5 Rather than triggering economic growth the public will be saddled with enormous debt bythe borrowed funding and operational expense estimated variously at present at $120- $150
million per year Electricity costs will cause operational expense to double This project couldbankrupt the city
6 HART should develop a funding or recovery plan before it comes to the council for aportion of TAT revenues
7 The final Environmental Impact Statement indicates only a minimal effect in alleviatingtraffic congestion which is the major argument in favor of funding the rail- The motoringpublic will not see any improvement in driving times and the studies were made years agoand are no longer reliable
The Council is urged to delete any provision that funds the rail in favor of funding otherurgent prioritiesThank you for your consideration
Te stin]on yAttachment
Accept TermsI
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 730 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Leslie M Inouye
Phone
Email Iinouyel4gmai1com
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHBuddeget
Committee
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position onOppose
the matter
Representing Self
Organization
Chairman Waters and City Council I and many others who have only recently becomeaware of Bill 40 must oppose the the use of the TAT to help fund rail It seems there are any
Writtennumber of backdoor plans to find the funds for rail despite the ongoing litany of items thateither have no clear fix andor no specific bottom line At some point you must realize thatTestimony
the rail is not a sustainable to use the popular contemporary term project and to continuepursuing this immense burden portends financial ruin for all of us Please let common senserule your decisions
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IF 19216820067
1
1 PETER A GANABANbull Business Manager
ampcretarj- Treasure
ALFONSO OlIVERPesident
JOBY NORTh IIlice President
TONI FIG(ERO4Recording Secretary
JAMES DRLrsquoMGOLD JRExecutiye Bd
ORLANDO PAESTEExecutive Board
JOSFIrsquoK jAWEsecutiw Board
ESTIIERAILA4udaor
RUSSELl NAPIIIA-4Auditor
SI lsquoIRK TRAVALINO4uJior
MAITINARAN4YDOamprgearn-dt-Arms
LIUNA Local 3681617 Palarna StreetHonolulu HI 96817
Phone (808) 841-5877Fax (808)847-7829
wiwIocaI368org
LiUNA
TESTIMONY OF THE HAWAII LABORERSrsquo UNION LOCAL 358
Honolulu City CouncilCouncil Meeting
Wednesday October 6 20211000 AM
RE Bill 40(2021) mdash RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATION TAX(TAT)
Chair Waters Vice-chair Kiarsquoaina and Council Members
The Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 and its 5000 working and retired men andwomen across the state of Hawaii stand in strong support of Bill 40(2021) whichestablishes a transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) for the City and Countyof Honolulu
The TAT funding proposed in Bill 40 would allow the City and County of Honoluluto maintain and preserve our island while mitigating the impacts of our naturalresources while also building new and existing infrastructure - including theHonolulu Rail Project This proposed measure would help generate much neededrevenue while having our island visitors help in sharing the cost
Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 respectfully requests that the council takefavorable action on this measure and support Bill 40
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony
Shingayi MasiyaGovernment Relations Director
Feel the Power
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 754 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Paul Yonamine
PhoneEmail paulyonaminecpbbank
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncil
Committee
Agenda Item Testimony and Support for Bill 40Your position
Supporton the mailer
Representing Self
Organization
Testimony and Support for Bill 40
I am Paul Yonamine Executive Chairman of Central Pacific Bank andI am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transientaccommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of thisamount I would respectfully request that a portion be set aside for thecompletion of the Honolulu rail project This new revenue source atourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both ofwhom will use and ride a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steadypace Work on utility relocation also continues Work either out to bidor ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficult section of
Written Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and aTestimony dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of a
system that wilt transform Oahu - Westside families will have theoption to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending anhourdivide in traffic Transit-oriented developments (TOD) to includeaffordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances
Rail and TOD represents the single most important economic driverfor the City and County of Honolulu and the state of Hawaii It alsopresents an invaluable opportunity for more affordable housingdevelopment for generations to come Donrsquot stop and impedeprogress of rail because of past project mismanagement We shouldmake sure the project is fully funded and that capable projectmanagers are hired positioned and empowered to complete thisproject
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support andlook forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 824 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Michael KamakaPhone
Email mkamakabowersandkubotacomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40 - Transient Accommodations TaxYour position
Supporton the matterRepresenting SelfOrganization
October 6 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer and Council MembersHonolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Sill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodation TaxDear Chair Waters and MembersPlease accept this written testimony of my support of Bill 40 toestablish a transient accommodations tax for the City and County ofHonolulu Under Sill 40
Written I believe a transient accommodations tax collects the fair and equitableTestimony amount from visitors who enjoy our City and County of Honolulu today
and in the future The tax will provide funding to mitigate impacts ofvisitors by providing money to support the restoration and maintenanceof public facilitiesAs part of the mitigation to the impacts of visitors I respectfully requesta portion of this transient accommodations tax be set aside to supportthe completion of the Honolulu rail project A rail system will helpmitigate the impacts by visitors in the Honolulu area by providing acleaner alternative of transportation thereby minimizing pollutantscaused by vehicle traffic and congestionAlthough there has been fiscal schedule and constructabilitychallenges there is a renewed hope and optimism for the completionof the rail system A renewable source of funding is the opportunity toposition HART for a successful completion of the rail system With new
1
leadership at HART I am confident HART has the people industrytrust transparency technical expertise and viable action plan neededto move this project ahead Funding through a portion of the transientaccommodation tax will provide a sustainable and dedicated fundingsource to allow construction to continueThank you for allowing me this opportunity to submit my support for Bill40Respectfully
Michael Kamaka PE Principal
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
October 5 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer And Council Members
Honolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accomodation Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members
I am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transient accommodations tax forthe City and County of Honolulu In addition I respectfully request a portion of this generatedtax to be set aside for the completion of the Honolulu rail project We all realize the pastchallenges of the rail project but now have a great opportunity to position HART for a successfulcompletion of the Rail system
With the new leadership at HART I am more confident than ever that we have the managementindustry tmst transparency technical expertise and action plan required to move this projectahead This dedicated funding source which will be shouldered by our tourist will allowconstruction to continue toward a successful completion for ALL of us This will also spurTransit Oriented Deveiopment around the system to help create housing and businessopportunities in our communities
Thank you for this opportunity to submit my support for Bill 40 and to generate an additionalrevenue source for HART
Respectfully
Dexter Kubota PEVice President
dkubota bowersandkubotacom
a a aareg
aqJrsquoJ1001 Bishop Street I Suite 625 I Honolulu HI 96213-28301-866-295-7282 I Fax 808-536-2882
bull aarporghi I aarphiaarporg I twittercomAARPHawaiI
H auva i I
Honolulu City CouncilOctober 6 2021 1000 am
TO The Honorable Tommy Waters ChairpersonRE Bill 40mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the Committee
My name is Kealirsquoi Lopez and I am the State Director for AARP Hawairsquoi AARP is a membershiporganization of people age fifty and over with nearly 145000 members in HawaiiAARP Hawaii supports Bill 40 which seeks to establish transient accommodations tax (TAT) forthe City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and facilitate thereceipt and deposit of the revenue derived
We respectfully wish to add our comment and support for a dedicated percentage of the TATthat will support the mass transit project Having an ongoing dedicated source of funding willhelp pay for mass transit project the ongoing operations and maintenance of the system afterconstruction has been completed and without the need to raise property taxes
AARP has been a strong proponent of an age-friendly community that includesbull Multi-modal forms of transportation for people of all ages Rail affords another
transportation option for Honolulu especially for seniors and those who cannot affordthe high costs of owning a vehicle
bull Transit Orient Developments (TaD) with affordable housings built within walking andbiking distance of major rail stations
Bill 40 provides an opportunity for the City to modernize and complete our transportationinfrastructure Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will help restore confidencewith the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) and could potentially unlock additionalfederal funding opportunities and other public sources to finish the project Thank you for theopportunity to testify in support of Bill 40
Sincerely
lsquos--rsquo hr
Kealirsquoi Lopez State Director
klopezaarporg
BIABUILDING INDUSTRY
A S SOC AT ION ana
TESTIMONY TO THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCILHONOLULU HALE
COUNCIL CHAMBERSOctober 6 2021
900 AM
Honorable Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Council
RE Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
My name is Daryl Takamiya Chair of the Government Relations Committee of the BuildingIndustry Association of Hawaii (BIA-HawaN) Chartered in 1955 the Building IndustryAssociation of Hawaii is a professional trade organization affiliated with the National Associationof Home Builders representing the building industry and its associates BIA-HawaH takes aleadership role in unifying and promoting the interests of the industry to enhance the quality oflife for the people of Hawah Our members build the communities we all call home
BIA-Hawaii is in support of Bill 40 which would establish a transient accommodations tax for theCity and County of Honolulu specifically the portion of the bill that would provide for a depositinto the established transit fund
BIA-Hawaii continues to support the transit system on the island of Oahu because it willincrease the availability of housing as transit-oriented development communities are built Thelack of affordable housing and other quality of life issues continue to plague our communitiesImproving transportation will only help to alleviate these issues and without a completed railproject affordable housing goals will not be met Bill 40 will be an important component toensure that the transit system is brought to successful completion
We appreciate the opportunity to express our views on Sill 40
Stefanie Y Sakamotostefsakamotoconsultingcom
tamp 006-629-7501 94-487 Akoki St Ste 213 wwwbiahawakorg
fax 808-629-7701 Waipahu HI 9679 infobiahawaiiorg
From CLK Council Into
Sent Tuesday October 5 2021 657 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Stanford Masui
Phone
Email standamanniasuigmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-202 1
CouncilPHBudgetCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40
YOLIE positionOppose
on the matter
Representing Organization
Organization RAILSOS (Study Other Solutions)
Chairman Waters and members of the councilOur organization opposes this bill as written1 It assumes that a portion of the TAT will be set aside for a transit fund for the rail Thisassumption should not he made without a vigorous discussion as whether funds should hesiphoned off for a project that is no longer financially viable To put it bluntly why ldquothrowgood money after badrdquo
2 The rail is at an inflection point as to whether it should he constructed beyond its currentendpoint at Middle St or further intensive study as to viable alternatives rather thancontinuing on to Ala Moana at a prohibitive cost Past VIA administrators have urged the cityto consider modification of its plans a clear signal that additional funding may not beforthcoming
Wutten3 Transit Oriented Development is a myth Most of the buildina of condos in the KapiolaniTestimony -corridor were planned without any consideration of the rail route This is amply demonstratedby the fact that while HART struggles to come up with a funding plan and completion to AlaMoana is questionable developers are proceeding to build The numbers and actual cost ofaffordable housing in these condos are still too expensive for most people to afford Only onemajor project currently is in Ewa and that was planned years before the rail was developed
4 There are urgent issues that require immediate and priority funding homelessness and themental health system police fire and emergency services funding road and highwayimprovement and cleanup and improvement of tourist recreational areas such as parks andbeaches
5 Rather than triggering economic growth the public will be saddled with enormous debt bythe borrowed funding and operational expense estimated variously at present at $120- $150
million per year Electricity costs will cause operational expense to double This project couldbankrupt the city
6 HART should develop a funding or recovery plan before it comes to the council for aportion of TAT revenues
7 The final Environmental Impact Statement indicates only a minimal effect in alleviatingtraffic congestion which is the major argument in favor of funding the rail- The motoringpublic will not see any improvement in driving times and the studies were made years agoand are no longer reliable
The Council is urged to delete any provision that funds the rail in favor of funding otherurgent prioritiesThank you for your consideration
Te stin]on yAttachment
Accept TermsI
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 730 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Leslie M Inouye
Phone
Email Iinouyel4gmai1com
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHBuddeget
Committee
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position onOppose
the matter
Representing Self
Organization
Chairman Waters and City Council I and many others who have only recently becomeaware of Bill 40 must oppose the the use of the TAT to help fund rail It seems there are any
Writtennumber of backdoor plans to find the funds for rail despite the ongoing litany of items thateither have no clear fix andor no specific bottom line At some point you must realize thatTestimony
the rail is not a sustainable to use the popular contemporary term project and to continuepursuing this immense burden portends financial ruin for all of us Please let common senserule your decisions
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IF 19216820067
1
1 PETER A GANABANbull Business Manager
ampcretarj- Treasure
ALFONSO OlIVERPesident
JOBY NORTh IIlice President
TONI FIG(ERO4Recording Secretary
JAMES DRLrsquoMGOLD JRExecutiye Bd
ORLANDO PAESTEExecutive Board
JOSFIrsquoK jAWEsecutiw Board
ESTIIERAILA4udaor
RUSSELl NAPIIIA-4Auditor
SI lsquoIRK TRAVALINO4uJior
MAITINARAN4YDOamprgearn-dt-Arms
LIUNA Local 3681617 Palarna StreetHonolulu HI 96817
Phone (808) 841-5877Fax (808)847-7829
wiwIocaI368org
LiUNA
TESTIMONY OF THE HAWAII LABORERSrsquo UNION LOCAL 358
Honolulu City CouncilCouncil Meeting
Wednesday October 6 20211000 AM
RE Bill 40(2021) mdash RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATION TAX(TAT)
Chair Waters Vice-chair Kiarsquoaina and Council Members
The Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 and its 5000 working and retired men andwomen across the state of Hawaii stand in strong support of Bill 40(2021) whichestablishes a transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) for the City and Countyof Honolulu
The TAT funding proposed in Bill 40 would allow the City and County of Honoluluto maintain and preserve our island while mitigating the impacts of our naturalresources while also building new and existing infrastructure - including theHonolulu Rail Project This proposed measure would help generate much neededrevenue while having our island visitors help in sharing the cost
Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 respectfully requests that the council takefavorable action on this measure and support Bill 40
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony
Shingayi MasiyaGovernment Relations Director
Feel the Power
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 754 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Paul Yonamine
PhoneEmail paulyonaminecpbbank
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncil
Committee
Agenda Item Testimony and Support for Bill 40Your position
Supporton the mailer
Representing Self
Organization
Testimony and Support for Bill 40
I am Paul Yonamine Executive Chairman of Central Pacific Bank andI am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transientaccommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of thisamount I would respectfully request that a portion be set aside for thecompletion of the Honolulu rail project This new revenue source atourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both ofwhom will use and ride a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steadypace Work on utility relocation also continues Work either out to bidor ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficult section of
Written Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and aTestimony dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of a
system that wilt transform Oahu - Westside families will have theoption to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending anhourdivide in traffic Transit-oriented developments (TOD) to includeaffordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances
Rail and TOD represents the single most important economic driverfor the City and County of Honolulu and the state of Hawaii It alsopresents an invaluable opportunity for more affordable housingdevelopment for generations to come Donrsquot stop and impedeprogress of rail because of past project mismanagement We shouldmake sure the project is fully funded and that capable projectmanagers are hired positioned and empowered to complete thisproject
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support andlook forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 824 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Michael KamakaPhone
Email mkamakabowersandkubotacomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40 - Transient Accommodations TaxYour position
Supporton the matterRepresenting SelfOrganization
October 6 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer and Council MembersHonolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Sill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodation TaxDear Chair Waters and MembersPlease accept this written testimony of my support of Bill 40 toestablish a transient accommodations tax for the City and County ofHonolulu Under Sill 40
Written I believe a transient accommodations tax collects the fair and equitableTestimony amount from visitors who enjoy our City and County of Honolulu today
and in the future The tax will provide funding to mitigate impacts ofvisitors by providing money to support the restoration and maintenanceof public facilitiesAs part of the mitigation to the impacts of visitors I respectfully requesta portion of this transient accommodations tax be set aside to supportthe completion of the Honolulu rail project A rail system will helpmitigate the impacts by visitors in the Honolulu area by providing acleaner alternative of transportation thereby minimizing pollutantscaused by vehicle traffic and congestionAlthough there has been fiscal schedule and constructabilitychallenges there is a renewed hope and optimism for the completionof the rail system A renewable source of funding is the opportunity toposition HART for a successful completion of the rail system With new
1
leadership at HART I am confident HART has the people industrytrust transparency technical expertise and viable action plan neededto move this project ahead Funding through a portion of the transientaccommodation tax will provide a sustainable and dedicated fundingsource to allow construction to continueThank you for allowing me this opportunity to submit my support for Bill40Respectfully
Michael Kamaka PE Principal
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
a a aareg
aqJrsquoJ1001 Bishop Street I Suite 625 I Honolulu HI 96213-28301-866-295-7282 I Fax 808-536-2882
bull aarporghi I aarphiaarporg I twittercomAARPHawaiI
H auva i I
Honolulu City CouncilOctober 6 2021 1000 am
TO The Honorable Tommy Waters ChairpersonRE Bill 40mdash Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
Dear Chair Waters and Members of the Committee
My name is Kealirsquoi Lopez and I am the State Director for AARP Hawairsquoi AARP is a membershiporganization of people age fifty and over with nearly 145000 members in HawaiiAARP Hawaii supports Bill 40 which seeks to establish transient accommodations tax (TAT) forthe City and County of Honolulu provide for its imposition and disposition and facilitate thereceipt and deposit of the revenue derived
We respectfully wish to add our comment and support for a dedicated percentage of the TATthat will support the mass transit project Having an ongoing dedicated source of funding willhelp pay for mass transit project the ongoing operations and maintenance of the system afterconstruction has been completed and without the need to raise property taxes
AARP has been a strong proponent of an age-friendly community that includesbull Multi-modal forms of transportation for people of all ages Rail affords another
transportation option for Honolulu especially for seniors and those who cannot affordthe high costs of owning a vehicle
bull Transit Orient Developments (TaD) with affordable housings built within walking andbiking distance of major rail stations
Bill 40 provides an opportunity for the City to modernize and complete our transportationinfrastructure Allocating a fixed percentage of TAT funding to Rail will help restore confidencewith the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) and could potentially unlock additionalfederal funding opportunities and other public sources to finish the project Thank you for theopportunity to testify in support of Bill 40
Sincerely
lsquos--rsquo hr
Kealirsquoi Lopez State Director
klopezaarporg
BIABUILDING INDUSTRY
A S SOC AT ION ana
TESTIMONY TO THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCILHONOLULU HALE
COUNCIL CHAMBERSOctober 6 2021
900 AM
Honorable Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Council
RE Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
My name is Daryl Takamiya Chair of the Government Relations Committee of the BuildingIndustry Association of Hawaii (BIA-HawaN) Chartered in 1955 the Building IndustryAssociation of Hawaii is a professional trade organization affiliated with the National Associationof Home Builders representing the building industry and its associates BIA-HawaH takes aleadership role in unifying and promoting the interests of the industry to enhance the quality oflife for the people of Hawah Our members build the communities we all call home
BIA-Hawaii is in support of Bill 40 which would establish a transient accommodations tax for theCity and County of Honolulu specifically the portion of the bill that would provide for a depositinto the established transit fund
BIA-Hawaii continues to support the transit system on the island of Oahu because it willincrease the availability of housing as transit-oriented development communities are built Thelack of affordable housing and other quality of life issues continue to plague our communitiesImproving transportation will only help to alleviate these issues and without a completed railproject affordable housing goals will not be met Bill 40 will be an important component toensure that the transit system is brought to successful completion
We appreciate the opportunity to express our views on Sill 40
Stefanie Y Sakamotostefsakamotoconsultingcom
tamp 006-629-7501 94-487 Akoki St Ste 213 wwwbiahawakorg
fax 808-629-7701 Waipahu HI 9679 infobiahawaiiorg
From CLK Council Into
Sent Tuesday October 5 2021 657 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Stanford Masui
Phone
Email standamanniasuigmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-202 1
CouncilPHBudgetCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40
YOLIE positionOppose
on the matter
Representing Organization
Organization RAILSOS (Study Other Solutions)
Chairman Waters and members of the councilOur organization opposes this bill as written1 It assumes that a portion of the TAT will be set aside for a transit fund for the rail Thisassumption should not he made without a vigorous discussion as whether funds should hesiphoned off for a project that is no longer financially viable To put it bluntly why ldquothrowgood money after badrdquo
2 The rail is at an inflection point as to whether it should he constructed beyond its currentendpoint at Middle St or further intensive study as to viable alternatives rather thancontinuing on to Ala Moana at a prohibitive cost Past VIA administrators have urged the cityto consider modification of its plans a clear signal that additional funding may not beforthcoming
Wutten3 Transit Oriented Development is a myth Most of the buildina of condos in the KapiolaniTestimony -corridor were planned without any consideration of the rail route This is amply demonstratedby the fact that while HART struggles to come up with a funding plan and completion to AlaMoana is questionable developers are proceeding to build The numbers and actual cost ofaffordable housing in these condos are still too expensive for most people to afford Only onemajor project currently is in Ewa and that was planned years before the rail was developed
4 There are urgent issues that require immediate and priority funding homelessness and themental health system police fire and emergency services funding road and highwayimprovement and cleanup and improvement of tourist recreational areas such as parks andbeaches
5 Rather than triggering economic growth the public will be saddled with enormous debt bythe borrowed funding and operational expense estimated variously at present at $120- $150
million per year Electricity costs will cause operational expense to double This project couldbankrupt the city
6 HART should develop a funding or recovery plan before it comes to the council for aportion of TAT revenues
7 The final Environmental Impact Statement indicates only a minimal effect in alleviatingtraffic congestion which is the major argument in favor of funding the rail- The motoringpublic will not see any improvement in driving times and the studies were made years agoand are no longer reliable
The Council is urged to delete any provision that funds the rail in favor of funding otherurgent prioritiesThank you for your consideration
Te stin]on yAttachment
Accept TermsI
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 730 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Leslie M Inouye
Phone
Email Iinouyel4gmai1com
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHBuddeget
Committee
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position onOppose
the matter
Representing Self
Organization
Chairman Waters and City Council I and many others who have only recently becomeaware of Bill 40 must oppose the the use of the TAT to help fund rail It seems there are any
Writtennumber of backdoor plans to find the funds for rail despite the ongoing litany of items thateither have no clear fix andor no specific bottom line At some point you must realize thatTestimony
the rail is not a sustainable to use the popular contemporary term project and to continuepursuing this immense burden portends financial ruin for all of us Please let common senserule your decisions
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IF 19216820067
1
1 PETER A GANABANbull Business Manager
ampcretarj- Treasure
ALFONSO OlIVERPesident
JOBY NORTh IIlice President
TONI FIG(ERO4Recording Secretary
JAMES DRLrsquoMGOLD JRExecutiye Bd
ORLANDO PAESTEExecutive Board
JOSFIrsquoK jAWEsecutiw Board
ESTIIERAILA4udaor
RUSSELl NAPIIIA-4Auditor
SI lsquoIRK TRAVALINO4uJior
MAITINARAN4YDOamprgearn-dt-Arms
LIUNA Local 3681617 Palarna StreetHonolulu HI 96817
Phone (808) 841-5877Fax (808)847-7829
wiwIocaI368org
LiUNA
TESTIMONY OF THE HAWAII LABORERSrsquo UNION LOCAL 358
Honolulu City CouncilCouncil Meeting
Wednesday October 6 20211000 AM
RE Bill 40(2021) mdash RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATION TAX(TAT)
Chair Waters Vice-chair Kiarsquoaina and Council Members
The Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 and its 5000 working and retired men andwomen across the state of Hawaii stand in strong support of Bill 40(2021) whichestablishes a transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) for the City and Countyof Honolulu
The TAT funding proposed in Bill 40 would allow the City and County of Honoluluto maintain and preserve our island while mitigating the impacts of our naturalresources while also building new and existing infrastructure - including theHonolulu Rail Project This proposed measure would help generate much neededrevenue while having our island visitors help in sharing the cost
Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 respectfully requests that the council takefavorable action on this measure and support Bill 40
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony
Shingayi MasiyaGovernment Relations Director
Feel the Power
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 754 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Paul Yonamine
PhoneEmail paulyonaminecpbbank
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncil
Committee
Agenda Item Testimony and Support for Bill 40Your position
Supporton the mailer
Representing Self
Organization
Testimony and Support for Bill 40
I am Paul Yonamine Executive Chairman of Central Pacific Bank andI am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transientaccommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of thisamount I would respectfully request that a portion be set aside for thecompletion of the Honolulu rail project This new revenue source atourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both ofwhom will use and ride a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steadypace Work on utility relocation also continues Work either out to bidor ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficult section of
Written Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and aTestimony dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of a
system that wilt transform Oahu - Westside families will have theoption to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending anhourdivide in traffic Transit-oriented developments (TOD) to includeaffordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances
Rail and TOD represents the single most important economic driverfor the City and County of Honolulu and the state of Hawaii It alsopresents an invaluable opportunity for more affordable housingdevelopment for generations to come Donrsquot stop and impedeprogress of rail because of past project mismanagement We shouldmake sure the project is fully funded and that capable projectmanagers are hired positioned and empowered to complete thisproject
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support andlook forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 824 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Michael KamakaPhone
Email mkamakabowersandkubotacomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40 - Transient Accommodations TaxYour position
Supporton the matterRepresenting SelfOrganization
October 6 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer and Council MembersHonolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Sill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodation TaxDear Chair Waters and MembersPlease accept this written testimony of my support of Bill 40 toestablish a transient accommodations tax for the City and County ofHonolulu Under Sill 40
Written I believe a transient accommodations tax collects the fair and equitableTestimony amount from visitors who enjoy our City and County of Honolulu today
and in the future The tax will provide funding to mitigate impacts ofvisitors by providing money to support the restoration and maintenanceof public facilitiesAs part of the mitigation to the impacts of visitors I respectfully requesta portion of this transient accommodations tax be set aside to supportthe completion of the Honolulu rail project A rail system will helpmitigate the impacts by visitors in the Honolulu area by providing acleaner alternative of transportation thereby minimizing pollutantscaused by vehicle traffic and congestionAlthough there has been fiscal schedule and constructabilitychallenges there is a renewed hope and optimism for the completionof the rail system A renewable source of funding is the opportunity toposition HART for a successful completion of the rail system With new
1
leadership at HART I am confident HART has the people industrytrust transparency technical expertise and viable action plan neededto move this project ahead Funding through a portion of the transientaccommodation tax will provide a sustainable and dedicated fundingsource to allow construction to continueThank you for allowing me this opportunity to submit my support for Bill40Respectfully
Michael Kamaka PE Principal
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
BIABUILDING INDUSTRY
A S SOC AT ION ana
TESTIMONY TO THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCILHONOLULU HALE
COUNCIL CHAMBERSOctober 6 2021
900 AM
Honorable Chair Waters Vice Chair Kiaaina and members of the Council
RE Bill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax
My name is Daryl Takamiya Chair of the Government Relations Committee of the BuildingIndustry Association of Hawaii (BIA-HawaN) Chartered in 1955 the Building IndustryAssociation of Hawaii is a professional trade organization affiliated with the National Associationof Home Builders representing the building industry and its associates BIA-HawaH takes aleadership role in unifying and promoting the interests of the industry to enhance the quality oflife for the people of Hawah Our members build the communities we all call home
BIA-Hawaii is in support of Bill 40 which would establish a transient accommodations tax for theCity and County of Honolulu specifically the portion of the bill that would provide for a depositinto the established transit fund
BIA-Hawaii continues to support the transit system on the island of Oahu because it willincrease the availability of housing as transit-oriented development communities are built Thelack of affordable housing and other quality of life issues continue to plague our communitiesImproving transportation will only help to alleviate these issues and without a completed railproject affordable housing goals will not be met Bill 40 will be an important component toensure that the transit system is brought to successful completion
We appreciate the opportunity to express our views on Sill 40
Stefanie Y Sakamotostefsakamotoconsultingcom
tamp 006-629-7501 94-487 Akoki St Ste 213 wwwbiahawakorg
fax 808-629-7701 Waipahu HI 9679 infobiahawaiiorg
From CLK Council Into
Sent Tuesday October 5 2021 657 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Stanford Masui
Phone
Email standamanniasuigmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-202 1
CouncilPHBudgetCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40
YOLIE positionOppose
on the matter
Representing Organization
Organization RAILSOS (Study Other Solutions)
Chairman Waters and members of the councilOur organization opposes this bill as written1 It assumes that a portion of the TAT will be set aside for a transit fund for the rail Thisassumption should not he made without a vigorous discussion as whether funds should hesiphoned off for a project that is no longer financially viable To put it bluntly why ldquothrowgood money after badrdquo
2 The rail is at an inflection point as to whether it should he constructed beyond its currentendpoint at Middle St or further intensive study as to viable alternatives rather thancontinuing on to Ala Moana at a prohibitive cost Past VIA administrators have urged the cityto consider modification of its plans a clear signal that additional funding may not beforthcoming
Wutten3 Transit Oriented Development is a myth Most of the buildina of condos in the KapiolaniTestimony -corridor were planned without any consideration of the rail route This is amply demonstratedby the fact that while HART struggles to come up with a funding plan and completion to AlaMoana is questionable developers are proceeding to build The numbers and actual cost ofaffordable housing in these condos are still too expensive for most people to afford Only onemajor project currently is in Ewa and that was planned years before the rail was developed
4 There are urgent issues that require immediate and priority funding homelessness and themental health system police fire and emergency services funding road and highwayimprovement and cleanup and improvement of tourist recreational areas such as parks andbeaches
5 Rather than triggering economic growth the public will be saddled with enormous debt bythe borrowed funding and operational expense estimated variously at present at $120- $150
million per year Electricity costs will cause operational expense to double This project couldbankrupt the city
6 HART should develop a funding or recovery plan before it comes to the council for aportion of TAT revenues
7 The final Environmental Impact Statement indicates only a minimal effect in alleviatingtraffic congestion which is the major argument in favor of funding the rail- The motoringpublic will not see any improvement in driving times and the studies were made years agoand are no longer reliable
The Council is urged to delete any provision that funds the rail in favor of funding otherurgent prioritiesThank you for your consideration
Te stin]on yAttachment
Accept TermsI
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 730 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Leslie M Inouye
Phone
Email Iinouyel4gmai1com
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHBuddeget
Committee
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position onOppose
the matter
Representing Self
Organization
Chairman Waters and City Council I and many others who have only recently becomeaware of Bill 40 must oppose the the use of the TAT to help fund rail It seems there are any
Writtennumber of backdoor plans to find the funds for rail despite the ongoing litany of items thateither have no clear fix andor no specific bottom line At some point you must realize thatTestimony
the rail is not a sustainable to use the popular contemporary term project and to continuepursuing this immense burden portends financial ruin for all of us Please let common senserule your decisions
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IF 19216820067
1
1 PETER A GANABANbull Business Manager
ampcretarj- Treasure
ALFONSO OlIVERPesident
JOBY NORTh IIlice President
TONI FIG(ERO4Recording Secretary
JAMES DRLrsquoMGOLD JRExecutiye Bd
ORLANDO PAESTEExecutive Board
JOSFIrsquoK jAWEsecutiw Board
ESTIIERAILA4udaor
RUSSELl NAPIIIA-4Auditor
SI lsquoIRK TRAVALINO4uJior
MAITINARAN4YDOamprgearn-dt-Arms
LIUNA Local 3681617 Palarna StreetHonolulu HI 96817
Phone (808) 841-5877Fax (808)847-7829
wiwIocaI368org
LiUNA
TESTIMONY OF THE HAWAII LABORERSrsquo UNION LOCAL 358
Honolulu City CouncilCouncil Meeting
Wednesday October 6 20211000 AM
RE Bill 40(2021) mdash RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATION TAX(TAT)
Chair Waters Vice-chair Kiarsquoaina and Council Members
The Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 and its 5000 working and retired men andwomen across the state of Hawaii stand in strong support of Bill 40(2021) whichestablishes a transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) for the City and Countyof Honolulu
The TAT funding proposed in Bill 40 would allow the City and County of Honoluluto maintain and preserve our island while mitigating the impacts of our naturalresources while also building new and existing infrastructure - including theHonolulu Rail Project This proposed measure would help generate much neededrevenue while having our island visitors help in sharing the cost
Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 respectfully requests that the council takefavorable action on this measure and support Bill 40
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony
Shingayi MasiyaGovernment Relations Director
Feel the Power
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 754 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Paul Yonamine
PhoneEmail paulyonaminecpbbank
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncil
Committee
Agenda Item Testimony and Support for Bill 40Your position
Supporton the mailer
Representing Self
Organization
Testimony and Support for Bill 40
I am Paul Yonamine Executive Chairman of Central Pacific Bank andI am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transientaccommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of thisamount I would respectfully request that a portion be set aside for thecompletion of the Honolulu rail project This new revenue source atourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both ofwhom will use and ride a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steadypace Work on utility relocation also continues Work either out to bidor ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficult section of
Written Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and aTestimony dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of a
system that wilt transform Oahu - Westside families will have theoption to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending anhourdivide in traffic Transit-oriented developments (TOD) to includeaffordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances
Rail and TOD represents the single most important economic driverfor the City and County of Honolulu and the state of Hawaii It alsopresents an invaluable opportunity for more affordable housingdevelopment for generations to come Donrsquot stop and impedeprogress of rail because of past project mismanagement We shouldmake sure the project is fully funded and that capable projectmanagers are hired positioned and empowered to complete thisproject
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support andlook forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 824 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Michael KamakaPhone
Email mkamakabowersandkubotacomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40 - Transient Accommodations TaxYour position
Supporton the matterRepresenting SelfOrganization
October 6 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer and Council MembersHonolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Sill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodation TaxDear Chair Waters and MembersPlease accept this written testimony of my support of Bill 40 toestablish a transient accommodations tax for the City and County ofHonolulu Under Sill 40
Written I believe a transient accommodations tax collects the fair and equitableTestimony amount from visitors who enjoy our City and County of Honolulu today
and in the future The tax will provide funding to mitigate impacts ofvisitors by providing money to support the restoration and maintenanceof public facilitiesAs part of the mitigation to the impacts of visitors I respectfully requesta portion of this transient accommodations tax be set aside to supportthe completion of the Honolulu rail project A rail system will helpmitigate the impacts by visitors in the Honolulu area by providing acleaner alternative of transportation thereby minimizing pollutantscaused by vehicle traffic and congestionAlthough there has been fiscal schedule and constructabilitychallenges there is a renewed hope and optimism for the completionof the rail system A renewable source of funding is the opportunity toposition HART for a successful completion of the rail system With new
1
leadership at HART I am confident HART has the people industrytrust transparency technical expertise and viable action plan neededto move this project ahead Funding through a portion of the transientaccommodation tax will provide a sustainable and dedicated fundingsource to allow construction to continueThank you for allowing me this opportunity to submit my support for Bill40Respectfully
Michael Kamaka PE Principal
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council Into
Sent Tuesday October 5 2021 657 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Stanford Masui
Phone
Email standamanniasuigmailcom
Meeting Date 10-06-202 1
CouncilPHBudgetCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40
YOLIE positionOppose
on the matter
Representing Organization
Organization RAILSOS (Study Other Solutions)
Chairman Waters and members of the councilOur organization opposes this bill as written1 It assumes that a portion of the TAT will be set aside for a transit fund for the rail Thisassumption should not he made without a vigorous discussion as whether funds should hesiphoned off for a project that is no longer financially viable To put it bluntly why ldquothrowgood money after badrdquo
2 The rail is at an inflection point as to whether it should he constructed beyond its currentendpoint at Middle St or further intensive study as to viable alternatives rather thancontinuing on to Ala Moana at a prohibitive cost Past VIA administrators have urged the cityto consider modification of its plans a clear signal that additional funding may not beforthcoming
Wutten3 Transit Oriented Development is a myth Most of the buildina of condos in the KapiolaniTestimony -corridor were planned without any consideration of the rail route This is amply demonstratedby the fact that while HART struggles to come up with a funding plan and completion to AlaMoana is questionable developers are proceeding to build The numbers and actual cost ofaffordable housing in these condos are still too expensive for most people to afford Only onemajor project currently is in Ewa and that was planned years before the rail was developed
4 There are urgent issues that require immediate and priority funding homelessness and themental health system police fire and emergency services funding road and highwayimprovement and cleanup and improvement of tourist recreational areas such as parks andbeaches
5 Rather than triggering economic growth the public will be saddled with enormous debt bythe borrowed funding and operational expense estimated variously at present at $120- $150
million per year Electricity costs will cause operational expense to double This project couldbankrupt the city
6 HART should develop a funding or recovery plan before it comes to the council for aportion of TAT revenues
7 The final Environmental Impact Statement indicates only a minimal effect in alleviatingtraffic congestion which is the major argument in favor of funding the rail- The motoringpublic will not see any improvement in driving times and the studies were made years agoand are no longer reliable
The Council is urged to delete any provision that funds the rail in favor of funding otherurgent prioritiesThank you for your consideration
Te stin]on yAttachment
Accept TermsI
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 730 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Leslie M Inouye
Phone
Email Iinouyel4gmai1com
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHBuddeget
Committee
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position onOppose
the matter
Representing Self
Organization
Chairman Waters and City Council I and many others who have only recently becomeaware of Bill 40 must oppose the the use of the TAT to help fund rail It seems there are any
Writtennumber of backdoor plans to find the funds for rail despite the ongoing litany of items thateither have no clear fix andor no specific bottom line At some point you must realize thatTestimony
the rail is not a sustainable to use the popular contemporary term project and to continuepursuing this immense burden portends financial ruin for all of us Please let common senserule your decisions
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IF 19216820067
1
1 PETER A GANABANbull Business Manager
ampcretarj- Treasure
ALFONSO OlIVERPesident
JOBY NORTh IIlice President
TONI FIG(ERO4Recording Secretary
JAMES DRLrsquoMGOLD JRExecutiye Bd
ORLANDO PAESTEExecutive Board
JOSFIrsquoK jAWEsecutiw Board
ESTIIERAILA4udaor
RUSSELl NAPIIIA-4Auditor
SI lsquoIRK TRAVALINO4uJior
MAITINARAN4YDOamprgearn-dt-Arms
LIUNA Local 3681617 Palarna StreetHonolulu HI 96817
Phone (808) 841-5877Fax (808)847-7829
wiwIocaI368org
LiUNA
TESTIMONY OF THE HAWAII LABORERSrsquo UNION LOCAL 358
Honolulu City CouncilCouncil Meeting
Wednesday October 6 20211000 AM
RE Bill 40(2021) mdash RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATION TAX(TAT)
Chair Waters Vice-chair Kiarsquoaina and Council Members
The Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 and its 5000 working and retired men andwomen across the state of Hawaii stand in strong support of Bill 40(2021) whichestablishes a transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) for the City and Countyof Honolulu
The TAT funding proposed in Bill 40 would allow the City and County of Honoluluto maintain and preserve our island while mitigating the impacts of our naturalresources while also building new and existing infrastructure - including theHonolulu Rail Project This proposed measure would help generate much neededrevenue while having our island visitors help in sharing the cost
Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 respectfully requests that the council takefavorable action on this measure and support Bill 40
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony
Shingayi MasiyaGovernment Relations Director
Feel the Power
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 754 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Paul Yonamine
PhoneEmail paulyonaminecpbbank
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncil
Committee
Agenda Item Testimony and Support for Bill 40Your position
Supporton the mailer
Representing Self
Organization
Testimony and Support for Bill 40
I am Paul Yonamine Executive Chairman of Central Pacific Bank andI am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transientaccommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of thisamount I would respectfully request that a portion be set aside for thecompletion of the Honolulu rail project This new revenue source atourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both ofwhom will use and ride a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steadypace Work on utility relocation also continues Work either out to bidor ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficult section of
Written Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and aTestimony dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of a
system that wilt transform Oahu - Westside families will have theoption to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending anhourdivide in traffic Transit-oriented developments (TOD) to includeaffordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances
Rail and TOD represents the single most important economic driverfor the City and County of Honolulu and the state of Hawaii It alsopresents an invaluable opportunity for more affordable housingdevelopment for generations to come Donrsquot stop and impedeprogress of rail because of past project mismanagement We shouldmake sure the project is fully funded and that capable projectmanagers are hired positioned and empowered to complete thisproject
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support andlook forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 824 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Michael KamakaPhone
Email mkamakabowersandkubotacomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40 - Transient Accommodations TaxYour position
Supporton the matterRepresenting SelfOrganization
October 6 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer and Council MembersHonolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Sill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodation TaxDear Chair Waters and MembersPlease accept this written testimony of my support of Bill 40 toestablish a transient accommodations tax for the City and County ofHonolulu Under Sill 40
Written I believe a transient accommodations tax collects the fair and equitableTestimony amount from visitors who enjoy our City and County of Honolulu today
and in the future The tax will provide funding to mitigate impacts ofvisitors by providing money to support the restoration and maintenanceof public facilitiesAs part of the mitigation to the impacts of visitors I respectfully requesta portion of this transient accommodations tax be set aside to supportthe completion of the Honolulu rail project A rail system will helpmitigate the impacts by visitors in the Honolulu area by providing acleaner alternative of transportation thereby minimizing pollutantscaused by vehicle traffic and congestionAlthough there has been fiscal schedule and constructabilitychallenges there is a renewed hope and optimism for the completionof the rail system A renewable source of funding is the opportunity toposition HART for a successful completion of the rail system With new
1
leadership at HART I am confident HART has the people industrytrust transparency technical expertise and viable action plan neededto move this project ahead Funding through a portion of the transientaccommodation tax will provide a sustainable and dedicated fundingsource to allow construction to continueThank you for allowing me this opportunity to submit my support for Bill40Respectfully
Michael Kamaka PE Principal
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
million per year Electricity costs will cause operational expense to double This project couldbankrupt the city
6 HART should develop a funding or recovery plan before it comes to the council for aportion of TAT revenues
7 The final Environmental Impact Statement indicates only a minimal effect in alleviatingtraffic congestion which is the major argument in favor of funding the rail- The motoringpublic will not see any improvement in driving times and the studies were made years agoand are no longer reliable
The Council is urged to delete any provision that funds the rail in favor of funding otherurgent prioritiesThank you for your consideration
Te stin]on yAttachment
Accept TermsI
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 730 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Leslie M Inouye
Phone
Email Iinouyel4gmai1com
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHBuddeget
Committee
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position onOppose
the matter
Representing Self
Organization
Chairman Waters and City Council I and many others who have only recently becomeaware of Bill 40 must oppose the the use of the TAT to help fund rail It seems there are any
Writtennumber of backdoor plans to find the funds for rail despite the ongoing litany of items thateither have no clear fix andor no specific bottom line At some point you must realize thatTestimony
the rail is not a sustainable to use the popular contemporary term project and to continuepursuing this immense burden portends financial ruin for all of us Please let common senserule your decisions
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IF 19216820067
1
1 PETER A GANABANbull Business Manager
ampcretarj- Treasure
ALFONSO OlIVERPesident
JOBY NORTh IIlice President
TONI FIG(ERO4Recording Secretary
JAMES DRLrsquoMGOLD JRExecutiye Bd
ORLANDO PAESTEExecutive Board
JOSFIrsquoK jAWEsecutiw Board
ESTIIERAILA4udaor
RUSSELl NAPIIIA-4Auditor
SI lsquoIRK TRAVALINO4uJior
MAITINARAN4YDOamprgearn-dt-Arms
LIUNA Local 3681617 Palarna StreetHonolulu HI 96817
Phone (808) 841-5877Fax (808)847-7829
wiwIocaI368org
LiUNA
TESTIMONY OF THE HAWAII LABORERSrsquo UNION LOCAL 358
Honolulu City CouncilCouncil Meeting
Wednesday October 6 20211000 AM
RE Bill 40(2021) mdash RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATION TAX(TAT)
Chair Waters Vice-chair Kiarsquoaina and Council Members
The Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 and its 5000 working and retired men andwomen across the state of Hawaii stand in strong support of Bill 40(2021) whichestablishes a transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) for the City and Countyof Honolulu
The TAT funding proposed in Bill 40 would allow the City and County of Honoluluto maintain and preserve our island while mitigating the impacts of our naturalresources while also building new and existing infrastructure - including theHonolulu Rail Project This proposed measure would help generate much neededrevenue while having our island visitors help in sharing the cost
Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 respectfully requests that the council takefavorable action on this measure and support Bill 40
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony
Shingayi MasiyaGovernment Relations Director
Feel the Power
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 754 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Paul Yonamine
PhoneEmail paulyonaminecpbbank
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncil
Committee
Agenda Item Testimony and Support for Bill 40Your position
Supporton the mailer
Representing Self
Organization
Testimony and Support for Bill 40
I am Paul Yonamine Executive Chairman of Central Pacific Bank andI am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transientaccommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of thisamount I would respectfully request that a portion be set aside for thecompletion of the Honolulu rail project This new revenue source atourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both ofwhom will use and ride a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steadypace Work on utility relocation also continues Work either out to bidor ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficult section of
Written Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and aTestimony dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of a
system that wilt transform Oahu - Westside families will have theoption to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending anhourdivide in traffic Transit-oriented developments (TOD) to includeaffordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances
Rail and TOD represents the single most important economic driverfor the City and County of Honolulu and the state of Hawaii It alsopresents an invaluable opportunity for more affordable housingdevelopment for generations to come Donrsquot stop and impedeprogress of rail because of past project mismanagement We shouldmake sure the project is fully funded and that capable projectmanagers are hired positioned and empowered to complete thisproject
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support andlook forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 824 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Michael KamakaPhone
Email mkamakabowersandkubotacomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40 - Transient Accommodations TaxYour position
Supporton the matterRepresenting SelfOrganization
October 6 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer and Council MembersHonolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Sill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodation TaxDear Chair Waters and MembersPlease accept this written testimony of my support of Bill 40 toestablish a transient accommodations tax for the City and County ofHonolulu Under Sill 40
Written I believe a transient accommodations tax collects the fair and equitableTestimony amount from visitors who enjoy our City and County of Honolulu today
and in the future The tax will provide funding to mitigate impacts ofvisitors by providing money to support the restoration and maintenanceof public facilitiesAs part of the mitigation to the impacts of visitors I respectfully requesta portion of this transient accommodations tax be set aside to supportthe completion of the Honolulu rail project A rail system will helpmitigate the impacts by visitors in the Honolulu area by providing acleaner alternative of transportation thereby minimizing pollutantscaused by vehicle traffic and congestionAlthough there has been fiscal schedule and constructabilitychallenges there is a renewed hope and optimism for the completionof the rail system A renewable source of funding is the opportunity toposition HART for a successful completion of the rail system With new
1
leadership at HART I am confident HART has the people industrytrust transparency technical expertise and viable action plan neededto move this project ahead Funding through a portion of the transientaccommodation tax will provide a sustainable and dedicated fundingsource to allow construction to continueThank you for allowing me this opportunity to submit my support for Bill40Respectfully
Michael Kamaka PE Principal
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Tuesday October 5 2021 730 PMSubject Budget Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Leslie M Inouye
Phone
Email Iinouyel4gmai1com
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHBuddeget
Committee
Agenda Item Bill 40
Your position onOppose
the matter
Representing Self
Organization
Chairman Waters and City Council I and many others who have only recently becomeaware of Bill 40 must oppose the the use of the TAT to help fund rail It seems there are any
Writtennumber of backdoor plans to find the funds for rail despite the ongoing litany of items thateither have no clear fix andor no specific bottom line At some point you must realize thatTestimony
the rail is not a sustainable to use the popular contemporary term project and to continuepursuing this immense burden portends financial ruin for all of us Please let common senserule your decisions
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IF 19216820067
1
1 PETER A GANABANbull Business Manager
ampcretarj- Treasure
ALFONSO OlIVERPesident
JOBY NORTh IIlice President
TONI FIG(ERO4Recording Secretary
JAMES DRLrsquoMGOLD JRExecutiye Bd
ORLANDO PAESTEExecutive Board
JOSFIrsquoK jAWEsecutiw Board
ESTIIERAILA4udaor
RUSSELl NAPIIIA-4Auditor
SI lsquoIRK TRAVALINO4uJior
MAITINARAN4YDOamprgearn-dt-Arms
LIUNA Local 3681617 Palarna StreetHonolulu HI 96817
Phone (808) 841-5877Fax (808)847-7829
wiwIocaI368org
LiUNA
TESTIMONY OF THE HAWAII LABORERSrsquo UNION LOCAL 358
Honolulu City CouncilCouncil Meeting
Wednesday October 6 20211000 AM
RE Bill 40(2021) mdash RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATION TAX(TAT)
Chair Waters Vice-chair Kiarsquoaina and Council Members
The Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 and its 5000 working and retired men andwomen across the state of Hawaii stand in strong support of Bill 40(2021) whichestablishes a transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) for the City and Countyof Honolulu
The TAT funding proposed in Bill 40 would allow the City and County of Honoluluto maintain and preserve our island while mitigating the impacts of our naturalresources while also building new and existing infrastructure - including theHonolulu Rail Project This proposed measure would help generate much neededrevenue while having our island visitors help in sharing the cost
Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 respectfully requests that the council takefavorable action on this measure and support Bill 40
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony
Shingayi MasiyaGovernment Relations Director
Feel the Power
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 754 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Paul Yonamine
PhoneEmail paulyonaminecpbbank
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncil
Committee
Agenda Item Testimony and Support for Bill 40Your position
Supporton the mailer
Representing Self
Organization
Testimony and Support for Bill 40
I am Paul Yonamine Executive Chairman of Central Pacific Bank andI am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transientaccommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of thisamount I would respectfully request that a portion be set aside for thecompletion of the Honolulu rail project This new revenue source atourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both ofwhom will use and ride a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steadypace Work on utility relocation also continues Work either out to bidor ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficult section of
Written Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and aTestimony dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of a
system that wilt transform Oahu - Westside families will have theoption to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending anhourdivide in traffic Transit-oriented developments (TOD) to includeaffordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances
Rail and TOD represents the single most important economic driverfor the City and County of Honolulu and the state of Hawaii It alsopresents an invaluable opportunity for more affordable housingdevelopment for generations to come Donrsquot stop and impedeprogress of rail because of past project mismanagement We shouldmake sure the project is fully funded and that capable projectmanagers are hired positioned and empowered to complete thisproject
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support andlook forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 824 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Michael KamakaPhone
Email mkamakabowersandkubotacomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40 - Transient Accommodations TaxYour position
Supporton the matterRepresenting SelfOrganization
October 6 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer and Council MembersHonolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Sill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodation TaxDear Chair Waters and MembersPlease accept this written testimony of my support of Bill 40 toestablish a transient accommodations tax for the City and County ofHonolulu Under Sill 40
Written I believe a transient accommodations tax collects the fair and equitableTestimony amount from visitors who enjoy our City and County of Honolulu today
and in the future The tax will provide funding to mitigate impacts ofvisitors by providing money to support the restoration and maintenanceof public facilitiesAs part of the mitigation to the impacts of visitors I respectfully requesta portion of this transient accommodations tax be set aside to supportthe completion of the Honolulu rail project A rail system will helpmitigate the impacts by visitors in the Honolulu area by providing acleaner alternative of transportation thereby minimizing pollutantscaused by vehicle traffic and congestionAlthough there has been fiscal schedule and constructabilitychallenges there is a renewed hope and optimism for the completionof the rail system A renewable source of funding is the opportunity toposition HART for a successful completion of the rail system With new
1
leadership at HART I am confident HART has the people industrytrust transparency technical expertise and viable action plan neededto move this project ahead Funding through a portion of the transientaccommodation tax will provide a sustainable and dedicated fundingsource to allow construction to continueThank you for allowing me this opportunity to submit my support for Bill40Respectfully
Michael Kamaka PE Principal
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
1 PETER A GANABANbull Business Manager
ampcretarj- Treasure
ALFONSO OlIVERPesident
JOBY NORTh IIlice President
TONI FIG(ERO4Recording Secretary
JAMES DRLrsquoMGOLD JRExecutiye Bd
ORLANDO PAESTEExecutive Board
JOSFIrsquoK jAWEsecutiw Board
ESTIIERAILA4udaor
RUSSELl NAPIIIA-4Auditor
SI lsquoIRK TRAVALINO4uJior
MAITINARAN4YDOamprgearn-dt-Arms
LIUNA Local 3681617 Palarna StreetHonolulu HI 96817
Phone (808) 841-5877Fax (808)847-7829
wiwIocaI368org
LiUNA
TESTIMONY OF THE HAWAII LABORERSrsquo UNION LOCAL 358
Honolulu City CouncilCouncil Meeting
Wednesday October 6 20211000 AM
RE Bill 40(2021) mdash RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATION TAX(TAT)
Chair Waters Vice-chair Kiarsquoaina and Council Members
The Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 and its 5000 working and retired men andwomen across the state of Hawaii stand in strong support of Bill 40(2021) whichestablishes a transient accommodation tax of three percent (3) for the City and Countyof Honolulu
The TAT funding proposed in Bill 40 would allow the City and County of Honoluluto maintain and preserve our island while mitigating the impacts of our naturalresources while also building new and existing infrastructure - including theHonolulu Rail Project This proposed measure would help generate much neededrevenue while having our island visitors help in sharing the cost
Hawaii Laborersrsquo Union Local 368 respectfully requests that the council takefavorable action on this measure and support Bill 40
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony
Shingayi MasiyaGovernment Relations Director
Feel the Power
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 754 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Paul Yonamine
PhoneEmail paulyonaminecpbbank
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncil
Committee
Agenda Item Testimony and Support for Bill 40Your position
Supporton the mailer
Representing Self
Organization
Testimony and Support for Bill 40
I am Paul Yonamine Executive Chairman of Central Pacific Bank andI am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transientaccommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of thisamount I would respectfully request that a portion be set aside for thecompletion of the Honolulu rail project This new revenue source atourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both ofwhom will use and ride a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steadypace Work on utility relocation also continues Work either out to bidor ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficult section of
Written Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and aTestimony dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of a
system that wilt transform Oahu - Westside families will have theoption to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending anhourdivide in traffic Transit-oriented developments (TOD) to includeaffordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances
Rail and TOD represents the single most important economic driverfor the City and County of Honolulu and the state of Hawaii It alsopresents an invaluable opportunity for more affordable housingdevelopment for generations to come Donrsquot stop and impedeprogress of rail because of past project mismanagement We shouldmake sure the project is fully funded and that capable projectmanagers are hired positioned and empowered to complete thisproject
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support andlook forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 824 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Michael KamakaPhone
Email mkamakabowersandkubotacomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40 - Transient Accommodations TaxYour position
Supporton the matterRepresenting SelfOrganization
October 6 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer and Council MembersHonolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Sill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodation TaxDear Chair Waters and MembersPlease accept this written testimony of my support of Bill 40 toestablish a transient accommodations tax for the City and County ofHonolulu Under Sill 40
Written I believe a transient accommodations tax collects the fair and equitableTestimony amount from visitors who enjoy our City and County of Honolulu today
and in the future The tax will provide funding to mitigate impacts ofvisitors by providing money to support the restoration and maintenanceof public facilitiesAs part of the mitigation to the impacts of visitors I respectfully requesta portion of this transient accommodations tax be set aside to supportthe completion of the Honolulu rail project A rail system will helpmitigate the impacts by visitors in the Honolulu area by providing acleaner alternative of transportation thereby minimizing pollutantscaused by vehicle traffic and congestionAlthough there has been fiscal schedule and constructabilitychallenges there is a renewed hope and optimism for the completionof the rail system A renewable source of funding is the opportunity toposition HART for a successful completion of the rail system With new
1
leadership at HART I am confident HART has the people industrytrust transparency technical expertise and viable action plan neededto move this project ahead Funding through a portion of the transientaccommodation tax will provide a sustainable and dedicated fundingsource to allow construction to continueThank you for allowing me this opportunity to submit my support for Bill40Respectfully
Michael Kamaka PE Principal
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 754 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Paul Yonamine
PhoneEmail paulyonaminecpbbank
Meeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncil
Committee
Agenda Item Testimony and Support for Bill 40Your position
Supporton the mailer
Representing Self
Organization
Testimony and Support for Bill 40
I am Paul Yonamine Executive Chairman of Central Pacific Bank andI am submitting testimony in support of Bill 40 to establish a transientaccommodations tax for the City and County of Honolulu Of thisamount I would respectfully request that a portion be set aside for thecompletion of the Honolulu rail project This new revenue source atourist tax comes from our visitors rather than our residents both ofwhom will use and ride a finished rail system
Construction of the rail guideway and stations continues at a steadypace Work on utility relocation also continues Work either out to bidor ready to bid and with design ongoing the most difficult section of
Written Dillingham Boulevard We are getting closer to the finish line and aTestimony dedicated local revenue source will allow for the completion of a
system that wilt transform Oahu - Westside families will have theoption to ride the rail to work and school rather than spending anhourdivide in traffic Transit-oriented developments (TOD) to includeaffordable units along the route will allow for better work-life balances
Rail and TOD represents the single most important economic driverfor the City and County of Honolulu and the state of Hawaii It alsopresents an invaluable opportunity for more affordable housingdevelopment for generations to come Donrsquot stop and impedeprogress of rail because of past project mismanagement We shouldmake sure the project is fully funded and that capable projectmanagers are hired positioned and empowered to complete thisproject
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support andlook forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 824 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Michael KamakaPhone
Email mkamakabowersandkubotacomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40 - Transient Accommodations TaxYour position
Supporton the matterRepresenting SelfOrganization
October 6 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer and Council MembersHonolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Sill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodation TaxDear Chair Waters and MembersPlease accept this written testimony of my support of Bill 40 toestablish a transient accommodations tax for the City and County ofHonolulu Under Sill 40
Written I believe a transient accommodations tax collects the fair and equitableTestimony amount from visitors who enjoy our City and County of Honolulu today
and in the future The tax will provide funding to mitigate impacts ofvisitors by providing money to support the restoration and maintenanceof public facilitiesAs part of the mitigation to the impacts of visitors I respectfully requesta portion of this transient accommodations tax be set aside to supportthe completion of the Honolulu rail project A rail system will helpmitigate the impacts by visitors in the Honolulu area by providing acleaner alternative of transportation thereby minimizing pollutantscaused by vehicle traffic and congestionAlthough there has been fiscal schedule and constructabilitychallenges there is a renewed hope and optimism for the completionof the rail system A renewable source of funding is the opportunity toposition HART for a successful completion of the rail system With new
1
leadership at HART I am confident HART has the people industrytrust transparency technical expertise and viable action plan neededto move this project ahead Funding through a portion of the transientaccommodation tax will provide a sustainable and dedicated fundingsource to allow construction to continueThank you for allowing me this opportunity to submit my support for Bill40Respectfully
Michael Kamaka PE Principal
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
Thank you for the opportunity to submit my statement of support andlook forward to a rigorous debate and discussion in the monthsahead
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 824 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Michael KamakaPhone
Email mkamakabowersandkubotacomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40 - Transient Accommodations TaxYour position
Supporton the matterRepresenting SelfOrganization
October 6 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer and Council MembersHonolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Sill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodation TaxDear Chair Waters and MembersPlease accept this written testimony of my support of Bill 40 toestablish a transient accommodations tax for the City and County ofHonolulu Under Sill 40
Written I believe a transient accommodations tax collects the fair and equitableTestimony amount from visitors who enjoy our City and County of Honolulu today
and in the future The tax will provide funding to mitigate impacts ofvisitors by providing money to support the restoration and maintenanceof public facilitiesAs part of the mitigation to the impacts of visitors I respectfully requesta portion of this transient accommodations tax be set aside to supportthe completion of the Honolulu rail project A rail system will helpmitigate the impacts by visitors in the Honolulu area by providing acleaner alternative of transportation thereby minimizing pollutantscaused by vehicle traffic and congestionAlthough there has been fiscal schedule and constructabilitychallenges there is a renewed hope and optimism for the completionof the rail system A renewable source of funding is the opportunity toposition HART for a successful completion of the rail system With new
1
leadership at HART I am confident HART has the people industrytrust transparency technical expertise and viable action plan neededto move this project ahead Funding through a portion of the transientaccommodation tax will provide a sustainable and dedicated fundingsource to allow construction to continueThank you for allowing me this opportunity to submit my support for Bill40Respectfully
Michael Kamaka PE Principal
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
From CLK Council InfoSent Wednesday October 6 2021 824 AMSubject Council Testimony
Written Testimony
Name Michael KamakaPhone
Email mkamakabowersandkubotacomMeeting Date 10-06-2021
CouncilPHCouncilCommittee
Agenda Item Bill 40 - Transient Accommodations TaxYour position
Supporton the matterRepresenting SelfOrganization
October 6 2021
The Honorable Tommy Waters Chair andPresiding Officer and Council MembersHonolulu City Council530 South King Street Room 202Honolulu Hawaii 96813
Subject Sill 40 Relating to the Transient Accommodation TaxDear Chair Waters and MembersPlease accept this written testimony of my support of Bill 40 toestablish a transient accommodations tax for the City and County ofHonolulu Under Sill 40
Written I believe a transient accommodations tax collects the fair and equitableTestimony amount from visitors who enjoy our City and County of Honolulu today
and in the future The tax will provide funding to mitigate impacts ofvisitors by providing money to support the restoration and maintenanceof public facilitiesAs part of the mitigation to the impacts of visitors I respectfully requesta portion of this transient accommodations tax be set aside to supportthe completion of the Honolulu rail project A rail system will helpmitigate the impacts by visitors in the Honolulu area by providing acleaner alternative of transportation thereby minimizing pollutantscaused by vehicle traffic and congestionAlthough there has been fiscal schedule and constructabilitychallenges there is a renewed hope and optimism for the completionof the rail system A renewable source of funding is the opportunity toposition HART for a successful completion of the rail system With new
1
leadership at HART I am confident HART has the people industrytrust transparency technical expertise and viable action plan neededto move this project ahead Funding through a portion of the transientaccommodation tax will provide a sustainable and dedicated fundingsource to allow construction to continueThank you for allowing me this opportunity to submit my support for Bill40Respectfully
Michael Kamaka PE Principal
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2
leadership at HART I am confident HART has the people industrytrust transparency technical expertise and viable action plan neededto move this project ahead Funding through a portion of the transientaccommodation tax will provide a sustainable and dedicated fundingsource to allow construction to continueThank you for allowing me this opportunity to submit my support for Bill40Respectfully
Michael Kamaka PE Principal
TestimonyAttachment
Accept Terms1
and Agreement
IP 19216820067
2